Breakdown

Begins well, with a spooky atmosphere reminiscent of the classic Duel. Tension builds as Kurt Russell’s wife vanishes, as ransom demands seem to leave him no options. But it loses its way at the end, as so many films do, going for the cheap car chase instead of remaining as hard-headed as it began. There is a scene where Russell is confronting the kidnappers who have left his wife to suffocate, has the drop on them with a gun, where three shots would have solved all his problems, one shot into each of their chests. He doesn’t shoot, thereby putting his wife in more danger and lengthening the move another 15 artificial minutes. Too bad.