Paradise Highway

IN A NUTSHELL: It's the presence of Morgan Freeman and Juliette Binoche on the movie poster that will pique your interest in this movie. Fans of Frank Grillo will take notice as well when they find out he's in this action thriller. The film was written and directed by Anna Gutto as her debut feature.

THINGS I LIKED: We've never seen Juliette Binoche look quite like this before! She's gritty and tough as a big-rig truck driver. As always, she does a fantastic job.

Juliette Binoche spends most of the movie in her truck with the young actress Hala Finley, who also performs well.

It's rare to see Frank Grillo NOT be in the middle of all the action in a movie like this.

There's a sad conversation about why kids who are kidnapped in the sex trade don't try to run away. I've often wondered that myself. Morgan Freeman's salty character gives us an interesting and heartbreaking answer.

There is some suspense mixed with heartwarming moments.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: I thought for sure we'd see a beach scene at the end.

The title of the movie was an odd choice.

The movie doesn't go deep enough.

TIPS FOR PARENTS: Profanity and many F-bombs (several spoken by a little girl) Jail scenes We see cigarette burns on a man's hands and tortured bruises on his chest A child is kidnapped Violence with various weapons You see several people get shot and bloodied A girl throws up all over herself We see a young girl in her underwear

THEMES: Family Human trafficking Sacrifices Past traumas Abuse Betrayal Trust Loneliness The US prison system Conscience and doing what's right Protecting the innocent Community Friendship

As I sat down to watch the 2022 thriller "Paradise Highway", I must admit that I was definitely harboring some expectations to writer and director Anno Gutto. Why? Well, because the movie had the likes of Morgan Freeman and Frank Grillo on the cast list, plus the synopsis sounded interesting as well.

And sure, "Paradise Highway" is watchable, but it was essentially just a run-of-the-mill rather generic and straight forward thriller. Writer and director Anna Gutto didn't really bring much of anything new or overly exciting to the genre. Don't get me wrong, because "Paradise Highway" is a watchable movie and sort of enjoyable enough. However, I was just expecting a tad more from the movie.

The storyline is straight forward and adequate enough, but the pacing of the narrative is somewhat mundane and slow paced, so while the movie is running at 115 minutes, if feels more like 175 minutes. If director Anna Gutto had upped the pacing of the narrative, then "Paradise Highway" would have been a whole different movie experience.

Now, I am not familiar with Cameron Monaghan, but she performed well in the leading role. And it was nice to see Morgan Freeman on the screen, though it was in a more leaned back sort of passive role though. And as for Frank Grillo, well he was hardly in the movie.

If you overly enjoy thrillers, then perhaps give "Paradise Highway" a chance, you might get a kick out of the storyline. I was only mildly entertained by what writer and director Anna Gutto delivered with "Paradise Highway".

My rating of "Paradise Highway" lands on a very bland five out of ten stars. The movie simply lacked thrilling contents. While having sat through the movie once, this is not a movie that I will be returning to a second time, simply because it doesn't have the contents to support a second viewing.

The movie is pretty ordinary. Of course you get to see a deglamourised Juliette Binoche which is a plus. She really has got her hands dirty as a truck driver. The point of this film is more to make people aware of human trafficking happening right under your nose maybe. That's how scary it is. I for one never imagined young girls were trafficked in America. That's what makes this an important film. Morgan Freeman's character never really blossomed to its full potential. Surprised he even agreed for this role which is more a supporting one. The young girl has acted well. Hope she gets more roles in the future. Watchable on a lazy day when you don't want to think too much.

Thrilling thriller ive seen, much due to a slow plot drive, an editor still climbing the learning curve, and direction that are not steelframed outta competance. Its a small cast feature length truckin movie based mainly midwest USA, and the camerascoop gives you quite a few lovely shoots of the ever so flat but beautiful scenery out there.

Acting is very average, mostly due to a modest script, the child actor has talent, grillo , binnoche and freeman doesnt stand out tall, more interesting was the hauling tractors, unbelievable spacy rest/sleeping cabins in them american rigs.

As mentioned its meant to be a human trafficking thriller, with law enforcement and hudlums trailing the runaway truck. And thats mostly it, more like a drama, with neo german vibes on the film production, its not an outstanding film, but its a small recommend from the grumpy old man,if you like the restless life behind the wheel hauling goods from a to z.

... manages to keep your attention most all of the time. The story is about trafficking young girls in the Deep South, and the police don't seem to want be on the ball - except for 85 year old Morgan Freeman who is always a pleasure to watch.