Mighty macho manly man idols don't come much tougher or grittier than truckers. At least, that's what such 70's features as "White Line Fever," "Breaker! Breaker!," and "Convoy" would like us to think. These films all helped to make truckers seem like modern-day American desperadoes of the asphalt trails who are the backbone of this great rugged country. Well, add this nifty made-for-TV item to this ever-worthwhile and enjoyable sub-genre.
Criminally underrated guy's guy par excellence James Brolin once again proves he's most definitely got the stuff as Clayton Ray Dennis, an honest, hard-working, but immature and hopelessly broke Diesel demon who's struggling to retain both his integrity and independence. Clayton's currently having a difficult time of it: he's three weeks late on back payments to his rig, keeps getting stuck with crummy low-paying jobs, and his loving, but fed-up wife Jesse (a fine, feisty Jennifer Warren) is seriously thinking about leaving him. Desperate for cash, Clayton and his crotchety, garrulous road hog buddy KW (a rambunctiously hearty slice of Grade A thespic ham by the incomparable Rip Torn) decide to haul stolen cows for oily, lowdown dirty freight racketeer Pinky Pincus (a deliciously slimy portrayal by Strother Martin). Pinky treats Clayton nice for a spell, then betrays Clayton by killing KW. So Clayton, who's not the sort to take anyone's crap lying down, opens up a gigantic can of whup-a** clobbering on the fat, sniveling little weasel Pincus.
Director Harvey Laidman keeps the pace chugging along at a speedy clip and stages the action scenes with considerable aplomb. Nice supporting performances by Melanie Griffith as a cute truckstop waitress, Lou Frizzell as an obnoxiously overzealous skip tracer, and Don Calfa and John Dennis Johnson as greasy gear jammers. Charles Bernstein's bang-up score deftly alternates between groovy romping rock and mellow melodic country mush. Juice Newton and the Silver Spurs supply a lovely, forlorn theme song, "Wouldn't Mind the Rain." Granted, it ain't no "White Line Fever," but this baby still rates as a solid and satisfying trucker's revenge opus just the same.
Criminally underrated guy's guy par excellence James Brolin once again proves he's most definitely got the stuff as Clayton Ray Dennis, an honest, hard-working, but immature and hopelessly broke Diesel demon who's struggling to retain both his integrity and independence. Clayton's currently having a difficult time of it: he's three weeks late on back payments to his rig, keeps getting stuck with crummy low-paying jobs, and his loving, but fed-up wife Jesse (a fine, feisty Jennifer Warren) is seriously thinking about leaving him. Desperate for cash, Clayton and his crotchety, garrulous road hog buddy KW (a rambunctiously hearty slice of Grade A thespic ham by the incomparable Rip Torn) decide to haul stolen cows for oily, lowdown dirty freight racketeer Pinky Pincus (a deliciously slimy portrayal by Strother Martin). Pinky treats Clayton nice for a spell, then betrays Clayton by killing KW. So Clayton, who's not the sort to take anyone's crap lying down, opens up a gigantic can of whup-a** clobbering on the fat, sniveling little weasel Pincus.
Director Harvey Laidman keeps the pace chugging along at a speedy clip and stages the action scenes with considerable aplomb. Nice supporting performances by Melanie Griffith as a cute truckstop waitress, Lou Frizzell as an obnoxiously overzealous skip tracer, and Don Calfa and John Dennis Johnson as greasy gear jammers. Charles Bernstein's bang-up score deftly alternates between groovy romping rock and mellow melodic country mush. Juice Newton and the Silver Spurs supply a lovely, forlorn theme song, "Wouldn't Mind the Rain." Granted, it ain't no "White Line Fever," but this baby still rates as a solid and satisfying trucker's revenge opus just the same.