Scenic Route

Scenic Route is a 2013 psychological thriller, directed by the Goetz Brothers—Kevin and Michael—and penned by Kyle Killen. The movie features a cohesive ensemble cast led by Josh Duhamel and Dan Fogler, with additional contributions from Miracle Laurie.

The plot of the Scenic Route is carried on the broad shoulders of the two leading men. Josh Duhamel, known for his performances in series like Las Vegas and movies like Transformers, takes on the character of Mitchell, a man who has played it safe all his life, working a steady nine-to-five job, with a house in the suburbs, a loving wife, and a child. Opposite him, the Tony Award-winning actor, Dan Fogler—who has delighted audiences with his performances in movies like Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them and Fanboys—portrays the character of Carter, a writer struggling with his own inertia and lack of success, a man who has dared to seek out freedom only to find himself caught in a quagmire of unfulfilled ambitions. Miracle Laurie boosts the film further with her appearance.

Scenic Route thrillingly explores the friendship, resilience, life journeys, and the contrasting perspectives on life between these two characters. Mitchell and Carter, who are on a road trip together, find themselves stranded in the middle of a desert when their truck breaks down, far beyond the reach of any cell phone signal. With no one around for miles and no immediate rescue in sight, the two friends are left struggling under the harsh weather conditions—blasting heat, freezing nights—and dwindling supplies.

What starts as a fun-filled road trip traversing the scenic route quickly descends into an existential analysis interspersed with survival tactics. The trying circumstances pull the lid off the simmering resentments, secrets, and frustrations between the two old friends, igniting a volatile mix of emotions and tension between them. Stripped of their daily comforts and conveniences, they find themselves confronting the ghosts of their past, the harsh realities of their present, and the uncertainties of their future.

As the narrative of Scenic Route delves deeper into the psychological aspects, an apparent conflict of lifestyles comes to the forefront. Mitchell’s “safe” and “boring” life versus Carter’s “exciting” but unanchored one, provides ample fodder for debates, accusations, and confessions, further fuelling the tension as well as sparking moments of introspection. The intense narrative, however, is not devoid of comic relief. There's the humor, albeit dark, emerging from the bizarre situations the friends find themselves in, which helps in providing a balance and certain groundedness to the intense drama on screen.

Scenic Route is a provocative tour de force, featuring top notch performances from the lead actors Josh Duhamel and Dan Fogler. The two actors bring an electric chemistry to their roles, portraying the complexities of their characters’ years-long friendship with stunning authenticity. Their performances lay bare the soul of their characters—scared, hopeful, frustrated, and vulnerable—with a raw intensity that holds the audience captive. Miracle Laurie further adds depth to the plot in her given limited screen time.

The Goetz brothers do a commendable job of setting up and working the tension between the characters in parallel with their ever deteriorating environmental situation. The beautiful but deadly barrenness of the desert becomes a whole character in itself, mirroring the tension between the friends, and their isolation from the outside world. Moreover, the directorial duo artfully plays with the narrative layout, keeping it tightly focused on its characters, and intelligently steering clear of clear-cut villains or heroes scenarios.

Cinematography by Sean O'Dea adds an extra layer to the film, perfectly capturing the stark eeriness of the deserted landscapes, and often using it as a symbolic representation of the rising tension between the friends. The film’s evocative score, composed by John Morgan, further enhances the movie’s atmosphere, adding depth and dimension, reflecting the changing dynamics, mood, and tension of the plot.

Scenic Route is a gripping story of endurance, friendship, regret, revelation, and life’s unbeaten paths. It successfully blurs the line between survivalist thriller and psychological drama, aiming to leave its viewers re-evaluating their own lives, and reconsidering their own scenic routes.