This film could have very easily been realized in an episode of The Twilight Zone, Outer Limits or Amazing Stories in about an hour. The 80s had a penchant for McGyvering something into a film and 'Dead End Drive-In' is absolutely no exception. There's truly very little to this Aussie flick in terms of story or expectation.
Ok, so it's Australia, the near future and things are decrepit. Let's just say the environment is "Mad Max-like." A young man named Jimmy, who has no particular goal or interest, definitely has a drive (no pun intended) and wants some purpose in life. Jimmy and his older brother live with their Italian mother who looks down upon Jimmy as a runt of the family. The older brother works for a towing truck service, which seems like a fairly active enterprise in the broken down, near future scape. Jimmy is intent on becoming physically strong and has a steadfast attitude at that.
One night, Jimmy and his girlfriend Carmen end up taking Jimmy's brother's 56 Chevy to a drive-in movie theater. Little do they know, that this theater is essentially a prison camp, where the youth "hangs around" until being processed. Jimmy being the self righteous and determined lad, decides to take matters in his own hands by finding a way to escape. That is the film, in a nutshell.
So, what's the point, you may ask? I'd say the film is a tame comment on oppression, governmental control and expected obedience. If there is something, that's even remotely unique about this film, it would be the social commentary regarding misguided youth. The young people at the drive-in do not seem to particularly mind being in that enclosed environment, as many were lost in their lives before entering, and are seeking some form of guidance. Essentially, those who want to be free are the enemy, whilst those who are accepting enslavement are the innocent. That's pretty much the point of the film...
Ok, so it's Australia, the near future and things are decrepit. Let's just say the environment is "Mad Max-like." A young man named Jimmy, who has no particular goal or interest, definitely has a drive (no pun intended) and wants some purpose in life. Jimmy and his older brother live with their Italian mother who looks down upon Jimmy as a runt of the family. The older brother works for a towing truck service, which seems like a fairly active enterprise in the broken down, near future scape. Jimmy is intent on becoming physically strong and has a steadfast attitude at that.
One night, Jimmy and his girlfriend Carmen end up taking Jimmy's brother's 56 Chevy to a drive-in movie theater. Little do they know, that this theater is essentially a prison camp, where the youth "hangs around" until being processed. Jimmy being the self righteous and determined lad, decides to take matters in his own hands by finding a way to escape. That is the film, in a nutshell.
So, what's the point, you may ask? I'd say the film is a tame comment on oppression, governmental control and expected obedience. If there is something, that's even remotely unique about this film, it would be the social commentary regarding misguided youth. The young people at the drive-in do not seem to particularly mind being in that enclosed environment, as many were lost in their lives before entering, and are seeking some form of guidance. Essentially, those who want to be free are the enemy, whilst those who are accepting enslavement are the innocent. That's pretty much the point of the film...