Trucker (DVD)

Diane Ford (Monaghan) is a tough, thirty something trucker making her own luck in life. Carefree and fiercely independent, Diane enjoys the simple pleasures of long-haul trucking, one night stands and hard liquor. But her happy-go-lucky existence is shattered when her estranged son Peter (Bennett) turns up on her doorstep. But it’s far from a happy reunion. They’re strangers to one another, with Diane having walked out on both her baby son and his father ten years previously.

Desperate to get the youngster out of her hair, Diane is shocked when she discovers that her ex, Len (Bratt), is terminally ill in hospital. Now burdened with the responsibilities that once terrified her, and forced to sacrifice her beloved independence, Diane has to take a step back to reconsider her life and the uncertain future that now awaits her.

Trucker met with critical acclaim on the festival circuit, scooping numerous awards with special praise heaped upon an impressive star turn from Michelle Monaghan. But sadly, this heartfelt drama was overlooked by the bigger awarding bodies and it slipped under the radar of most movie goers. Hopefully, with its DVD release, this moving film will get the attention it deserves.

The central premise of Trucker is nothing new. We’ve seen unprepared parents saddled with unwelcome offspring before and are familiar with the resulting conflict that soon ensues. Trucker doesn’t stray too far from these conventions, nor does it try to break the mould; but in keeping to this well established formula and playing to its strengths, the result is a superior drama that packs a real emotional punch.

Much of the film’s success lies with Michelle Monaghan, who arguably turns in the performance of her career so far. She’s incredible as the steel-plated Diane, and plays off well against all of her supporting players. The initially frosty relationship with her estranged child is well judged and consistent; a slow and believable thaw. Her relationship with best pal and long time admirer, Runner (Fillion), is also handled well, making for an association more complex than a simple will they/won’t they situation.

Playing around with conventional gender roles is hardly uncharted territory, but it’s always refreshing to see. But with Diane, great care has been made to ensure she’s neither an alpha-male in all respects bar anatomy, nor a wallflower who’s playing trucker. Rather, the masculine qualities picked for the character have been chosen to illuminate her independence and reluctance to play wife and mother.

Writer-director James Mottern deserves a special mention for his beautifully crafted script and expert eye behind the camera lens. In the opening scene of the film, Mottern takes a conventional enough scenario and colours it with subtle twists to deftly introduce Diane as a distinctly different heroine. Mottern keeps his skilful eye trained throughout, making for a consistently engaging film.

Overall Verdict: A moving drama that avoids the sickly sweet sentimentality and melodramatics of similar stories; Trucker shines thanks to a fantastic director and an exceptional star turn from Michelle Monaghan.

Special Features:
None

Reviewer: David Steele