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Thunder Road makes its mark in the first 12 minutes

Whatever you do, don’t show up late to this intermittently astounding American comedy-drama. Because it is all about the opening scene when it comes to Thunder Road.

Thunder Road - Official Trailer (2018)

Whatever you do, be sure not to show up late for this intermittently astounding American comedy-drama.

For it is all about the opening scene when it comes to Thunder Road.

Filmed in one excruciating, exhilarating and exponentially gripping extended take, those first 12 incredible minutes herald the arrival of a fully-formed new filmmaking talent.

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The entire movie is the creative brainchild of lead actor, writer and director Jim Cummings.
The entire movie is the creative brainchild of lead actor, writer and director Jim Cummings.

The entire movie is the creative brainchild of its lead actor, writer and director, Jim Cummings, and his assurance before and behind the cameras is there for all to see.

Particularly in that incomparable opening sequence, in which a heartfelt eulogy delivered at a funeral goes off the rails repeatedly.

The speaker, a Texan policeman named Jim Arnaud (Cummings), intends to pay tribute to his late mother.

By the end of his rollercoaster of a ramble, we have been taken on a full guided tour of Jim’s frazzled mind. And it ain’t pretty in there.

Thunder Road is a deceptively insightful character study.
Thunder Road is a deceptively insightful character study.

The movie (which takes its title from the Bruce Springsteen song, which features prominently in that eulogy) goes on to explore how Jim may have worked himself into this sad, sorry and sort-of funny state.

Not all of what it finds makes sense, but when this deceptively insightful character study is on target, you won’t miss the point at all.

Thunder Road (M)

Rating: Three and a half stars (3.5 out of 5)

Director: Jim Cummings (feature debut)

Starring: Jim Cummings, Kendal Farr, Jocelyn DeBoer.

Lightning strikes early

Thunder Road is now showing exclusively at the Cinema Nova, Carlton. Opens Thurs April 25th in all other states around Australia.

For all things movies, follow Leigh on Twitter @leighpaatsch

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/movies/thunder-road-makes-its-mark-in-the-first-12-minutes/news-story/3b24a8f23c32516cc190a21f24dd2db5