Director: Joe Carnahan
Starring: Patrick Wilson, Chris Pine, Ed Helms, Jessica Alba, James Badge Dale
Running Time: 94 minutes
Certificate: 15
If you were offered the chance to get back on your feet, rid yourself of your debts and start again – in exchange for one night of madness – would you do it? That’s the choice facing Stretch (Patrick Wilson) as he agrees to take on extreme passenger Roger Karos (Chris Pine) in exchange for a hefty tip that will see him debt-free for one nights work. What follows is indulgence, debauchery and corruption beyond Stretch’s wildest expectations as the most thrilling night of his life unfolds in riotous fashion.
Where it flourishes, the film’s success is thanks to Wilson’s huge like-ability factor. Stretch is a former drugs, gambling and drinking addict who owes $6,000 to his bookie, is scrapping by as a failed actor-turned-limo-driver and to top it off gets dumped by his girlfriend during his post-sex euphoria; by all accounts he’s a pitiful sad sack who we should be feeling sorry for. It’s Wilson’s screen presence, coupled with a script that allows a character to journey and develop, a scarce find in the genre, that gives the audience an easy connection point.
Whipping along with pace, the action is involving and frenetic – without the unimaginative car chases that would usually litter a film of this nature. Filmed on a minimal budget of $5 million, perhaps those weren’t so much creative choices as budgetary ones but by losing the blockbuster style effects, Carnahan has been able to shine a light on the film’s best assets.
Where the film runs into trouble is in its’ comedy; jokes land with a thud more often than a laugh. Out-dated stereotyping, watch out for the scene with a hit-and-run grandma, is unnecessary and the outlandish hedonistic antics of Karos don’t meet the parody they are trying to set up. Don’t expect any female characters of note either; other than Jessica Alba giving Stretch a few pointers over the phone all we’ve got is the bitchy ex and prostitutes, the latter in spades.
STRETCH is a comic caper that keeps things light but action-packed. Allowing a lead character with depth is the best choice on show amidst some dire comedy escapades.
STRETCH is released on digital download on 8th June and on Blu-ray and DVD on 22nd June.
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