Chicago Cab (1997)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Directors:

Mary Cybulski
John Tintori

Writers:

Will Kern (play)
Will Kern (written by)

Release Date:

2 October 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Do you dare pay the fare?

Plot:

There is more to this story than this review lets on. It reflects all different facets of society over one drivers shift...

Plot Keywords:

Hospital | Pakistani | Cab Driver | Lawyer | Rape

Cast

Paul Dillon	...	Cab Driver
Tim Gamble	...	Religious Father
Olivia Trevino	...	4-Year Old Girl
Moira Harris	...	Religious Mother
Rana Khan	...	Pakistani
Darryl Theirse	...	X-Hat
Michael Ironside	...	Al
Shanesia Davis-Williams	...	Lawyer
Laura Kellogg Sandberg	...	Bug-Eyed Woman
Phillip Edward Van Lear	...	Father-to-Be (as Phillip Van Lear)
Ora Jones	...	Pregnant Woman
Michael Shannon	...	Crack Head
Shulie Cowen	...	Stoner Girl
Andrew Rothenberg	...	Homer
Tracy Letts	...	Sports Fan

Also Known As:

Hellcab (USA) (video title)

MPAA:

Rated R for pervasive strong language, and for sexual content.

Runtime:

USA:96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:MA | Spain:13 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Child's Will Productions

Trivia:

The original play, "Hellcab", opened in Chicago in 1992.

Movie Connections:

References "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (1962)

Soundtrack:

Winter Wonderland

I never thought I would actually fall in love with the film, but that's just what I did!

I have to admit, the first thing that drew me to the film was John Cusack's cameo, as I am and always will be a huge fan of his (read: fanatic). I never thought I would actually fall in love with the film, but that's just what I did!

As an aspiring indie filmmaker, this film really gets to me in many ways: more obviously, the acting is superb, in all cases. that Paul Dillon really is awesome (as are his eyes, they're killer!), as were all the cameos. I honestly could not find one bad actor among them (the shortness of some screen times may account for that, but let's not get negative here ;)). The story was very interesting and original, and although I've heard of people criticising the film's lack of interesting plot, I really tend to disagree. I've always enjoy "a day in the life of" type movies, especially those that give a perspective on real people, and give you the opportunity to get to know the characters, identify with them very well, unlike most "action-packed" cheesy Hollywood movies filled with little perfect phonies. Instead, to me, this movie had many small plots, and however small they were, they gave you enough to, if you use your imagination god forbid, to really know some characters, and connect with some. The number of real emotions I experienced while watching this movie -- and continue to, no matter how many times I see it -- is staggering. To me this film represents independent filmmaking of the people genre at its best: real and honest, for better or for worst. I also really admire the direction, production, camera work, music, etc. The genius of these elements together gave you a real feel for the topic, the city, the driver, and the drivees. The ending was also superb, for although the movie often showed how much life can suck, the ending gave me some hope for the future of humanity (of which I have very little), or, at least for certain individuals who can think clearly. ;) It really touched me and I identified greatly with it, and it gave a real sense of closure to the film, although I was whining for more when the credits started a-rollin'. :)

I now own this film (yay me!), as I purchased it literally the moment after the video store in which I work released a previously viewed copy for sale, and have watched it in full half a dozen times (and counting) and in parts a countness number. I have also shown it to (read: forced to watch) some friends and family, and although the numbers are pretty equal as to who likes it and who doesn't, the ones who dig it really dig it, and to me that's more than worth it! I want to show it to the world, wooo!