Route 9 (1998)

Sadly Over-hyped

One of my all time favorites.

The first must-see film of the year.

Blistering performances.

I could have sworn this movie was made years before 'Fargo' and 'A simple plan', but oh. But somehow I like this one anyway, even if it isn't very original or challenging. I like the characters and their petty - but genuine - ways, the moments of dark humour, and even the injections of action scenes just to spice things up.My favorite role is the one of Earl by Wade Williams; a simple-minded log with a good sense of humour, but just not enough brains to pull this one off. Kyle MacLachlan is a good second, being the good-hearted Booth who might have made it big as an inventor - no really. And Amy Locane is the worthy third; playing the typical blonde Sally who, for a change, turns out to be not that typical at all, in my opinion - or at least she comes off quite sympathetic.No long story or deep analysis required - it's just that bag of money taken and the things that must come of it; 7 out of 10.

The movie concerns the usual story of sheriff and deputies from a small-town . Kyle McLachlan and Wade Williams discover a pair of dead bodies , drugs and a loot of cash and they decide to take it . They then burn the vehicle where the money was in . But events go wrong and Feds and DEA (Roma Maffia and Richard Riehle) come investigating . Besides , the coroner (Miguel Sandoval) discovers some engaging tapes . Their chief (Peter Coyote) gets suspects and his gorgeous spouse (Amy Locane) is the lover of Kyle McLachlan who wants to flee with her .This TV movie contains noisy action , thriller , twisted plot and turns out to be pretty entertaining . From the beginning to ending the tension and suspense is continuous . US ¨Route 9¨, film title , runs from Laurel, Delaware -US Route 13- to Champlain , NY near the USA-Canada border and includes a ferry connection . Actors playing is top-notch with special mention for Kyle MacLachlan and Peter Coyote . There also intervenes two future successful television stars in the hit titled ¨Prison Break¨: Wade Williams and Silas Weir Mitchell . While protagonists watching TV appear images with David Paymer and Tony Godwyn , it results to be the former film by director David McKay titled : ¨The lesser evil¨ also starred by Richard Riehle . The film packs a spectacular , atmospheric soundtrack by Don Davis , David McKay's habitual musician including ¨Turbulence II¨ . He's nowadays very known for his ¨Matrix¨ musical score . The motion picture was well directed by David McKay in spite of the short budget . It's a great stuff for action and suspense lovers .

"Route 9" has similarities to both "Fargo" (female law officer solves the crime) and "A Simple Plan" (friendship severely tested for partners in crime). With that said, there are enough differences and subplots for "Route 9" to stand alone. It is definitely the lesser of these three movies, however it certainly is entertaining. The high body count of this movie may be distressing, but the plot ties all the carnage together quite nicely. If you enjoyed "Fargo", or "A Simple Plan", then I recommend "Route 9" as something that will seem like familiar ground, yet can stand on merits of it's own. I rate "Fargo" 10.0, "A Simple Plan" 10.0 and "Route 9" 6.5. - MERK

First of all, yes, I understand that movies are fictional and don't always necessarily strive for realism in all aspects, but to name a movie after US Highway 9 -- which runs through portions of New Jersey and Delaware -- even use the highway sign for the title, and then stage the movie in a (fictional) desert town of Grimley, NV . . . that's just stupid.From there it's all a very predictable, barely average movie. The acting is adequate enough to match the unexciting plot, which isn't saying much, and there seems to be an awful lot of mumbling (or maybe just a bad mix-down).Don't waste your time on it unless it's one of those times where you just watch whatever happens to be on HBO, it's late at night, and you don't mind falling asleep before the movie is over. . . .