Movies about trucking and truckers are usually comedic, over the top action or just plain way off course with the true industry professionals. Every now and then, a movie that stirs up the drama, comes along and this time it's about a lady TRUCKER! I will not spoil the plot or ruin the ending for you because this is not about this movie as much as it is about trucking in the movies overall.
Have you seen the greatest big rig to date, OPTIMUS PRIME? Now that's my idea of truck! Or is it a robot? Either way he's cool as heck!
Ok, well maybe that one is over the top but it was never meant to be believable. Some trucker movies over the years have just plain missed the mark. Trucks in movies is nothing new, in fact trucks were one of the first things to be destroyed and do some destroying in the movies. Movies about truckers usually try to show some cowboy type dealing with issues like police, beer runs, failed relationships.... wait, that does sound like a truckers life. ANYWAY!, truckers in movies have been portrayed as lonesome, except for that BJ fella on TV, he always had chimp with him and a couple of gals that seemed to enjoy the ride. Did he ever deliver anything? Oh! back to the blog. Let's see lonesome..oh yea, and tough and some type of detective or fugitive.
But over time some great movies about truckers have emerged. So, let's share a top ten list of the best according to our readers.
1. Smokey and the Bandit (1-3)
2. Convoy
3. Duel
4. Breaker, Breaker
5. Coast to Coast
6. White Line Fever
7. They Drive by Night
8. Steel Cowboy
9. Over the Top
10. Black Dog
Like 'em not you picked 'em! I don't agree with all of them but you made some good choices and surprisingly you even picked real classic at #7.
Now that you know the greatest ever, let's talk about the latest edition to the genre, "Trucker." Trucker is an independently financed drama produced by Plum Pictures. Trucker premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 24 and was released in theatres across the USA this month.
"Michelle was so dedicated to the part of Diane Ford,” says Mottern. “I asked her if she would take a few driving lessons and not only did she agree, but she insisted on getting her driver’s permit so she could operate the truck during filming. And she did! At the time she didn’t even know how to drive a stick shift but damned if she didn’t get her permit and get in that truck and pull it off. You should’ve seen her on the splitter. It would’ve taken your breath away. So every time you see Michelle driving in the movie, it really is her driving. No filming trailers, no computer graphics, nothing. Just Monaghan behind the wheel.”
“It was amazing,” says an enthusiastic and proud Monaghan. “I was one of those kids growing up who pumped her arm up and down when the truck came past, and now it was me behind the wheel. My dad and brother both have their CDL so they were really impressed. I was so nervous my first time on I-10. I can’t even drive a regular stick shift but now I can drive an 18-wheeler. Reverse parking was the hardest, and double clutching. I hope truck drivers know that I appreciate what they do.”
Trucker was awarded the Best Narrative Feature Jury Award at the 18th Woods Hole Film Festival held July 25th – Saturday 1st August. The Woods Hole Film Festival is an eight day showcase of independent film featuring daily screenings, workshops, panel discussions, staged readings, special events, parties, awards ceremony and more.
Looks like Trucker will be a love or hate it type, according to critics, but when real life issues cross the tough life of a trucker, man or woman, then the drama will hit close to home for many. We recommend checking it out.
To read some reviews follow these links:
Film Crave
AMC Film Critic
Rotten Tomatoes
To view the web site for the movie click on movie poster banner at top of page.
Thanks for visiting our blog and keep the bugs off your bumper and bears off your tail. (visit trucking101.biz for trucking lingo explanation)
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