Adopt a Highway
Ethan Hawke excels in satisfying drama; some language.
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Based on 1 review
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Adopt a Highway
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Adopt a Highway is an intense, character-driven movie about an emotionally- and socially-stunted man as he attempts to negotiate a world wholly new to him. The movie's hero, a recently-released felon, finds an abandoned infant and the event changes the course of his life. Viewers will take Russell Millings' (Ethan Hawke) journey alongside him. That journey is suspenseful, but there's no violence. A sprinkling of profanity is heard (i.e., "f--k," "s--t"). A character has served more than 20 years for possession of marijuana with intent to sell. Messages about recovery, redemption, and the harsh realities of post-prison life are incorporated into the story.
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What's the Story?
As ADOPT A HIGHWAY opens, Russell Millings (Ethan Hawke) is released from prison. Convicted as a very young man of possession of marijuana with intent to sell, he has served more than 20 years under what are now questionable "three strikes" laws in California. The now-paroled main character is isolated, friendless, working in a dead-end job, and living on the fringes of life. After finding an abandoned infant in a dumpster ("Ella," identified by a note left with her), Russell hopes to keep his wondrous discovery to himself. However, he soon must face the realities of caring for a baby with his very limited resources. Russell's efforts to keep Ella safe and loved become the center of his life and eventually the key to his recovery.
Is It Any Good?
Earnest, mostly successful efforts to tell a contemporary human story, along with an outstanding performance by Hawke and a baby who will win your heart, make this indie well worth watching. First time director Logan Marshall-Green gives his audience every reason to care about his leading character, a victim both of his own youthful recklessness and a flawed judicial system. And if Adopt a Highway wraps up with a bit of questionable plotting (spoiler alert: why the complete estrangement of father and son?), it's just a blip and won't distract from the emotional heft of the material.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the filmmakers' point of view in Adopt a Highway. How do you think these filmmakers feel about the recent "three strikes" laws? How did they portray the lack of resources for recently-paroled or released prisoners? Is it valuable to be aware of a movie's (or filmmakers') point of view? Why or why not? Have you watched movies that helped change your mind about specific issues?
Find out the difference between the film terms "musical score" and "source music." Were you aware of the score in this movie? How did it enrich the story and the characters?
Think about how Ethan Hawke's performance captured the essence of Russell Millings. What methods (i.e., body language, speech rhythms) did he use to convey his character's thoughts and feelings? How did Hawke reveal that Russell had moved forward by the end of the film?
Movie Details
- In theaters: November 19, 2019
- On DVD or streaming: December 24, 2019
- Cast: Ethan Hawke, Elaine Hendrix
- Director: Logan Marshall-Green
- Studio: Blumhouse Productions
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Friendship
- Run time: 78 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: September 2, 2022
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