Freeway (DVD 2002)

Despite being described as an illiterate emotionally immature thug by the establishment, nothing phases Vanessa Julia Lutz,(Reese Witherspoon) who admits she has an anger management problem. The world see's her as a sophisticated criminal and a severe danger to society, nothing could be further from the truth. Her true character lies in her innate instinct to tell right from wrong, much like a wild animal would who lives in a jungle.
Vanessa loves her mom and tolerates her step father who can't keep his hands of her 'anatomy'. When mom gets arrested for soliciting Vanessa is left alone to fend for herself. Gaily she gives her social worker the slip and trips off in a clapped out automobile to find her Granny, dressed in a bright red bomber jacket carrying a wicker basket covered in a pretty paisley cloth, just like little Red Riding Hood.
On her way she stops to pick up her 'coalburner' boyfriend Chopper, but he's due in court, so he gives her his gun and she sets off alone; minutes later Chopper breaths his last and lies dead on the sidewalk shot in the chest by a local gang leader.
Vanessa's car also expires, leaving her stranded on the highway, when along comes Bob a respectable bespeckled middle aged pillar of society,(brilliantly played by Kieffer Sutherland), who offers her a lift. Vanessa expresses genuine gratitude towards the good Samaritan who as luck would have it is a teenage counsellor! After some hesitation Vanessa reveals to him the awful circumstances of her miserable life. After buying her lunch and treating her with kindness and respect, which is all that Vanessa wants, Bob offers to 'cure her of her 'anguish and suffering'. 'I think I can help you', says Bob in a calm reassuring voice, 'but your going to have to trust me'.
When his language turns obscene and he starts questioning her about her intimate family life and sexual behaviour, it only takes one look from Bob, for Vanessa's instincts to realize that this man is a predatory pervert; the i-5 killer, which makes her extremely angry.
Bob then tells her what he really thinks of her and the moronic 'garbage people' like her, which infuriates her even more, 'I'm a person I'm a human being' she protests, which only makes Bob mad'der. But when he calls her a 'piece of sh*t' and cuts her hair off with a barbers razor she snaps, turns the tables on him, grabs her gun, and holds the muzzle to his head. 'Settle down Bob, see what bad manners do for you' she says, and then with grave solemnity asks him a difficult question, 'Do you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Personal Savior?, Yes, replies the tearful Bob, 'I'm glad to hear it' says Vanessa and pulls the trigger.
Feeling justice has been done, her face covered in blood, she finds the nearest cafe and politely orders a 'double he-man breakfast'; minutes later she's arrested. But not for murder. Bob survives to seek his revenge.
This is a fine cheaply made(keep an eye out for the mike boom) off-beat movie, shot in an anonymous suburban landscape. Reese Witherspoon plays the part of Vanessa with a wonderful natural affinity for the character, and a great deal of charm, which is very appealing. Kieffer Sutherland with the help of his Lord and Saviour is exceptionally good as the serial killer. Vanessa's Mom and step Dad are a real hoot, and the opening credits and musical soundtrack give it a spooky zany quality. What makes a good film? Who knows, but this I liked very much.