When Life Comes At You Like A Big-Rig Truck
Original Release: April 1982
Director: Dennis Hopper
Writers: Leonard Yakir, Brenda Nielson, Dennie Hopper
Starring: Linda Manz, Dennis Hopper, Sharon Farrell, Don Gordon , Raymond Burr
Presented by Chloë Sevigny & Natasha Lyonne
Genre: Drama
Country: Canada
Language: English
Dennis Hopper's 1980 film 'OUT OF THE BLUE' is as powerful now, as it was 40 years ago. Presented by Chloë Sevigny & Natasha Lyonne at Discovery Production, who restored the film and bringing it to a whole new generation of movie goers.
This raw and in-your-face film shows the struggles of Don Barnes (Dennie Hopper), a truck driver and alcoholic, who serves a five-years prison for driving under the influence and crashing his big rig truck into a school bus and taking the lives of children, his wife, Kathy (Sharon Farrell), a drug addict, and mother of his teenage daughter, Cebe (Linda Manz), who is obsessed with her dad, Elvis Pressley and the Sex Pistol and carries the burden and struggles of her parents on her shoulders and there is Charlie (Don Gordon) his best friend and Dr. Brean (Raymond Burr),
a psychologist who treats an out-of-control Cebe.
As Cebe said, "I don't wanna to hear about you, I wanna hear from you. A statement that gives insight to her belief in the importance of finding your voice. Something she struggled with and expressing herself through her love of Elvis Pressly and the Sex Pistols.
Set in the northwest of Canada with its beautiful surroundings, the rebelliousness of Cebe, who constantly runs away from home, making her way to Vancouver. During her time out on the streets, she lives out her dream of playing drums with a Punk rock band, steals a car and get arrested.
Struggling with her father's incarceration and her mother's drug addiction, has her growing up before her time and taking on the role of the parent. A huge burden for any teenage to deal with.
Watching this gripping film, it becomes clear why 'OUT OF THE BLUE' did not get a U.S release in 1980. The film is full of graphic and intense subject, topics and lifestyle choices that many in society where not ready to see on the big screen at the time.
The title of the film comes from to Neil Young's 1979 album 'Rust Never Sleeps' and includes songs from it as well.
The steady trauma experienced by Don, Cebe and Kathy comes so fast and steady, it makes you wonder how a person survives and thrive in such an environment.
OUT OF THE BLUE is definitely a film worth seeing, just be sure to hold onto your seats.
Presented by Chloë Sevigny & Natasha Lyonne
Production Co: Discovery Production, Robson Street
Run time: 1 hour 34 minutes
Starring: Linda Manz, Dennis Hopper, Sharon Farrell, Don Gordon, Raymond Burr
Director Dennis Hopper
Writers: Leonard Yakir, Brenda Nielson, Dennie Hopper
Cinematography: Marc Champion
Editor: Doris Dyck
Music: Tom Lavin