THUNDER ROAD
US, 2018, 90 minutes, Colour.
Jim Cummings, Kendall Farr, Nican Robinson, Jocelyn De Boer, Chelsea Edmudson, Macon Blair.
Directed by Jim Cummings.
In 2016, Jim Cummings released a 13 minute short film, Thunder Road, with inspiration from the song by Bruce Springsteen (suggested by the small-budget film of 1958 of the same name starring Robert Mitchum). Encouraged by the favourable critical response and awards, he has developed what was basically a eulogy at his mother’s funeral into a 90 minute film.
It is definitely a Jim Cummings film. Not only did he write and direct, he gives a rather extraordinary performance, appearing in almost every sequence of the film. Admittedly, it may take some time to get used to his screen presence, his distraught character, some oddball behaviour, but it is well worth the wondering wait.
Cummings plays a Texas police officer, Jim Arnaud, sitting in the church, his daughter and ex-wife present, other relations and members of the police force supporting him. He is invited up to speak, dressed in his uniform, expressing his grief for his mother, suddenly convulsed in weeping and then just as suddenly taking control – well not quite control because of the erratic things he speaks of, recollecting his mother’s love of Thunder Road, beginning to sing and gyrate at the front of the church. Then, carrying his daughter, he is ushered from the church.
One could say that watching the film, the audience is put in the position of, say, a counsellor or therapist, listening and observing what the client is trying to communicate, evaluating his relationship with his ex-wife, care of his daughter, seeing him in police action when he has been commanded not to turn up, relying on his fellow officer and his family for some support, in and out of control, violent outbursts, his wondering and we, the attentive counsellors, wondering where this will all go, how it will end up.
He has a relationship with his young daughter but she is becoming more and more dependent on her mother, leaving her father, almost spurning him. Jim and his wife are in the process of divorce. It is certainly taking its toll on him. He does have a sister that he can turn to, a woman of good advice, which is something of a relief for him and for us.
He has a busy lawyer for the divorce, just checking on details before they go into the court. He gives testimony for himself but alienates the judge by miscalculating in what he should say. He loses.
So, this is a portrait of a man on the edge – and having to deal with an ultimate tragedy which he did not anticipate. Nor did we.
Clearly, the film is a very personal commitment by Jim Cummings, admirable in its way, maybe alienating some audiences, but really an impressive tour-de-force performance.
1. The title? Bruce Springsteen song? The film of 1958?
2. The contribution of Jim Cummings, writing, directing, performing?
3. Texas, the town, church, homes, the streets? Police precincts? The court? The countryside? The musical score?
4. The introduction to Jim Arnaud, his age, experience, manner, police, in uniform? The back of the church, the invitation to speak? His moods on and off, weeping and control, the meandering talk, the memories, Bruce Springsteen, the singing, gyrating? Taking his daughter out? People offering sympathy?
5. The background of his mother, the ballet, renovations, selling? Jim and his marriage, his ex-wife, relationship with his daughter? Issues of custody, the visits, taking his daughter out, the growing awkwardness, growing alienation? His ex-wife and her life, men, drugs?
6. The work, the partnership with Nate, out on the beat, his erratic behaviour and moods, Nate and his support, the authority and the orders for him to go home, upset?
7. His being determined, his image of himself, Nate and the family, the meals, the later clash with Nate, then reconciliation?
8. On the job, exercising violence, the authorities confronting him, his being sacked? His reactions?
9. The divorce, the late arrival of the lawyer, checking the details, the judge, his speaking in court, is interpreting the situation, the judge’s negative reaction?
10. The drive to visit his sister, her memories of their mother, her wise advice?
11. His future, uncertain, his career, his daughter?
12. The sum news of the death of his wife, going to see, her taking the drugs, his grief yet slapping her? Blaming her for dying, the effect on the daughter?
13. The subsequent effects, the relationship with his daughter – his future?
