A really good early 90s film (set in the late 80s) with great performances and strong, nuanced writing and humor and a few intriguing plot twists and turns. Highly underrated and barely remembered, it made its mark on me when I saw it back then and I never forgot it. Glad to see it on digital release recently.
Flashback
1990
Action / Adventure / Comedy / Crime / Drama
Flashback
1990
Action / Adventure / Comedy / Crime / Drama
Keywords: fbitrainfake identityhippielsd
Plot summary
In 1989, clean-cut FBI man John Buckner is detailed to escort heavily-bearded Huey Walker back to jail for offenses dating back to his days as a celebrated hippie radical. After Walker dupes Buckner on the train he falls into the hands of a couple of well-meaning refugees from the 60's, the two men with apparently nothing in common find themselves on the run together. But appearances can be deceptive.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEBMovie Reviews
Highly underrated, one of Sutherland's best and a great later performance from Hopper
limited comedy but Hopper is great
Straight-laced FBI agent John Buckner (Kiefer Sutherland) is tasked to escort hippie prisoner Huey Walker (Dennis Hopper) to Spokane, Washington for trial after 20 years on the run. Back in 68, he played a prank on Spiro Agnew by uncoupling his train car. Walker convinces Buckner that he dosed him with acid and Walker switches places with Buckner. They meet up with hippie Maggie (Carol Kane) and corrupt local Sheriff Hightower (Cliff De Young).
Dennis Hopper is great channeling both sides of his acting repertoire. He is a wild hippie on one hand and a tough agent on the other hand. It's a little bit humorous at times but I'm not really laughing hard at anything. I think the story is more compelling for people who lived through the 60s as a hippie or at least indulged in the hippie lifestyle.
A Fun Period Or The Beginning Of The End?
For the most part, this is an enjoyable "flashback" for most folks, a look back at the wild and crazy late 1960s. I would have enjoyed it more without all the blasphemous exclamations out of Keifer Sutherland's mouth.
For those who loved the '60s and its hippie-far Left political and cultural stances, this will be a nostalgic remembrance of those days. For those who think that period was the beginning of the end, morally and culturally for the U.S., this film will demonstrate that, too.
Regardless of where one is politically, the film moves very fast, is very entertaining, and has almost no credibility. In parts, it's just embarrassing it is so ludicrous.
Dennis Hopper is very believable as the ex-"hippie" and Carol Kane is a hoot as the "flower child." The rest of the cast, led by Sutherland, is nothing but irritating.
Also, the soundtrack of '60s songs is excellent.