There's definitely a certain allure to the late '60s to early '80s timeline in America, particularly what I can only call truck stop culture. I'm not quite sure what it is about it, but it's always intrigued me. Maybe it's the pioneer feeling you get when you're alone on a two-lane asphalt road in a world where there's nothing but desert all around you. Whatever it is, writer-director Francis Galuppi captures it perfectly in his new film. Last Stop in Yuma County.
The film is set in a truck stop diner in rural Arizona. The owner, Vernon (Fazon Love), takes pride in his position and his duty to help travelers passing through. On this day, the assistance he provides is to inform the people who stop by that they need to fill up before proceeding because there is no gas station within 400 miles. The problem is that the station's tank is empty and the drivers who are coming to fill up are behind schedule. Normally, it's certainly an inconvenience, but it doesn't amount to a catastrophe. But on this day, the little diner ends up hosting a lot of people who shouldn't be stuck together in a room with no air conditioning on a hot day. There's a waitress, Charlotte (Jocelyn Donahue), who is the mistress of the local sheriff, a traveling knife salesman (Jim Cummings in the lead role), two bank robbers on the run from a heist that's been talked about on the radio, an elderly couple, and finally, a young couple desperate to become the next Bonnie and Clyde. Oh, and by the way, if this fire didn't have enough fuel, the air conditioning in the building wouldn't be working.
As a rule, I don't refer to other articles or reviews while I'm writing, but I feel I have to make an exception here because people are so consistent in claiming this is a Tarantino ripoff. They say these things in a positive way (for some reason), but I still disagree with the portrayal. I mean… after all, wasn't Tarantino “ripping off” the 70s movies he loved? I understand the argument, and honestly, if you want to convey the atmosphere of this movie, this is not an inaccurate way to do it, but I think it undermines the effort that was put into this movie. Galuppi, who made his feature film debut with this movie, was clearly influenced, but the influences are not limited to Tarantino. There's also Rami, the Coen brothers, and a bit of the great Sidney Lumet. Case in point, this guy doesn't think he's ripping off anyone. I think he's a student of the arts, and he's applying his favorite lessons to his debut.
A one-set film like this doesn't rely solely on the director, and in this case the success of the final product depends on the cast, and while the names may not be immediately recognizable, there is real talent in these frames. Jim Cummings plays a surprisingly blank-faced role well, feeling truly at home in the era and keeping you guessing his intentions from start to finish. Jocelyn Donahue, Nicholas Logan and Faizon Love are all pillars of authenticity throughout. The star of the show, as always (for me) is Richard Brake. Blake, whose name you may not know but whose face you definitely know, is a frequent collaborator of Rob Zombie, and The Mandalorian To Kingsman: The Secret ServiceBlake is a good guy, but it's a shame he has a bad facade, and his talents are on full display here as a robbery brain that's literally a lit stick of dynamite. He's the one who'll have you praying there's a fuel truck driver nearby.
Last Stop in Yuma County is my favorite type of movie. No, I don't mean noir-style crime thrillers; those are included, of course, but what I'm trying to say is that it's a movie I had very little expectations of, but ended up thoroughly enjoying. As I said before, the Tarantino imitation claim is off the mark, but it's a solid argument for recommending it. If you're a fan of movies like Reservoir Dog or Dog Day Afternoon after that Last Stop in Yuma County A must see this weekend.
Last Stop in Yuma County It's now available in select theaters and on demand. Get it here!
