Minimalistic dramas are probably the most challenging kind of stories to tell. They require expert craftsmanship, committed performances, and a visual style that feels real while maintaining individual flair. All of these elements demand the utmost professional level of quality to deliver a compelling story worthy of any audience investment of time. When done right, it can transform a simple film into a genuinely great one. Such is the case with today's movie, Adopt a Highway, which, had I seen it when it came out last year, would have been a firm contender for my best film of 2019.
The story follows a middle-aged man named Russell (Ethan Hawke). Recently released from prison after serving twenty years for his third offense, Russell is doing his best to get by with a sturdy job at a local Burger joint. One night, as he is closing the shop, something happens to him that will change his life forever. While taking out the garbage, Russell finds an abandoned baby girl, no more than a few months old, inside the dumpster with only a note proclaiming her name. Uncertain of what to do, Russell does what any person in their right mind should do and rescues the child. Russell takes her to his temporary home and contemplates keeping her to raise as his own. However, this idea goes out the window when he realizes that taking in a baby that is not your own is technically kidnapping even under these extreme circumstances. Now, Russell must figure out a way to save himself from yet another criminal offense while ensuring this little girl gets a chance to thrive.
Adopt a Highway is a heartwarming movie through and through. Aside from the expected tension that comes from suddenly taking care of a lost baby, the story succeeds in providing relevant social commentary on our prison system. A shining example of this is when Russell is on his last parole legs and must hand in his paperwork via email. Except, he has never had an email account before, let alone used the internet, implying a severe lack of education or empathy within the system. Under most circumstances, this would not likely be a big deal. However, when you come to realize why Russell was in prison in the first place, and you see how sympathetic he is, you quickly realize that something is wrong with the system.
Ethan Hawke delivers his usual professional level of quality to his performance. He makes his character so likable and sympathetic that you want him to have the opportunity to raise this lost little girl. Ethan Hawke has always been an enjoyable talent ever since his break-out Oscar-nominated performance in Training Day. I have yet to see a movie he was in, other than The Purge, that I haven't liked or felt his performance was lacking somehow.
Logan Marshall-Green, whom some of you may recall as the leading man in the 2018 sci-fi masterpiece Upgrade, makes his writer/director debut with Adopt a Highway, and he hits it right out of the park. His dialogue feels natural, his sense of framing is spot-on, and his ability with actors is damn near profound. I mean, given that he is also an actor himself, I'm not all that surprised, but still. If this is the level of quality I can expect from this guy, I cannot wait to see what he will do next.
Adopt a Highway is a hidden gem of a film. I deeply regret not knowing about this movie when it was initially released. Had I learned about this film back then, I would have demanded that you see it in theaters if it played near you. Therefore, to make up for the lost time, I encourage you to watch this film this very second. I assure you, it will make your day.
Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading.
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