Trucker - A Movie Review

If you want to know what the life of a trucker is like, it’s a lot of driving.

Trucker rode off the highway into theaters in 2008. A woman who chose life to be free and reckless has to look after her estranged son. While on the road, Diane and 11-year-old Peter work through their tension to create a bond.

The synopses of Trucker is what looped me into watching this film. Trucker is one of those films about an estranged mother and son who need to reconnect. While the film is very well-acted, does it bring anything new to the table?

Examining every layer of her character, Michelle Monaghan was tremendous in the part of Diane. Diane is an assertive woman who does not let anyone get in her way. So, people think. Running away from a life she never wanted, Diane has to learn how to connect with her son. She learns that she cares more than she thinks.

The best scene is when she stomps across the street, wearing only a shirt and underwear to beat the men who tripped her son. Now that is a mom.

This is my second favorite Jimmy Bennett role. Unlike films where he is the child who gets in the way, he is anything but in this film. Similar to his role in Orphan, Bennett has a rebellious attitude, but he has a good heart. Bennett was terrific in all of his scenes, particularly in an emotional scene.

Monaghan and Bennett were naturals in all their scenes. I loved watching them, whether in arguments or when they were sitting in silence. They acted well together developing a genuine relationship that evolves.

Benjamin Bratt and Nathan Fillion are excellent in their parts. Both were strong parental figures, whether biologically or surrogate. More credits include Joey Lauren Adams, Bryce Johnson, Brandon Hanson, and Maya McLaughlin.

Aside from the relationship between Diane and Peter, Trucker lacks construction in the story. Sometimes the film moves a little fast or it gets stuck in where to go next.

While the camera captures the scenery of the road. James Mottern also studied different camera movements when following characters. Diane’s journey is a great example. Because she is a complex character, at one moment the camera is completely steady or if someone has caught on to her facade, the camera is shaky.

I also like how he created stress through visuals. Whenever you see a truck, how does it make you feel? Since trucks are so immense in size, Mottern set up a line of trucks that stood over the characters. It was a smart way to symbolize the stress of the situation.

What is the trucking life all about? Because of the title, I was hoping the film would take place more on the road. The story needed to be stronger. It wasn’t finished deciding what kind of film it wanted to be. However, I like how Mottern gave a ceremonial callback to scenes written in the beginning and in the climax.

You really get the perspective of the trucking life. Highways and roads have a story. That’s what I like most about road travel. It’s a time to reflect and converse with whoever you’re with.

Whenever I see trucks on the highway, I think about this movie. Trucks are carrying loads of supplies. Their size represents the weight on both the truck's and truckers' shoulders. I never thought about it like that before.

I still enjoyed Trucker for what it was. Go find it on Prime and watch it.