Director: Mukunda Michael Dewil
Starring: Paul Walker, Naima McLean, Gys de Villiers
Certificate: 15
Running Time: 82 Minutes
Synopsis: A foreign traveler (Walker) unknowingly picks up a rental car that will tie him to a web of corrupt local police.
Special Features: Making Of, Trailer
Seeing Paul Walker behind the wheel of a car for yet another action ‘vehicle’ doesn’t come as a surprise when you consider his signature roles in the FAST & FURIOUS franchise and films like JOYRIDE (aka ROAD KILL). He’s obviously comfortable in cruise-control and has rarely tasted success outside the fast-paced genre. He’s always appeared as a likeable chap (I personally have a soft spot for his dark modern fairytale RUNNING SCARED) and can pretty much pull off those types of roles with his eyes closed without really flexing his acting chops. Something I’ve never seen him do since his small supporting role in Gary Ross’ loveable PLEASANTVILLE.
However, VEHICLE 19 does indeed see Walker headline (and produce) as a troubled man with a mysterious past, who’s struggling to find his way in a strange country. His Michael Woods has just arrived in South Africa and picks up a rental car, only to immediately find it’s not the automobile he originally requested. Despite trying to work it out with the company over his cell, he’s desperate to get on the move and patch things up with his girl and start a fresh in this new location.
It’s a simple premise made even more impressive by it’s brave ambiguity once he discovers the tormented surprises in store that lead him on an affecting and crushing thrill ride through the crowded city streets and slums. It’s also worth pointing out that not once does the camera leave the vehicle (despite the cover art). Whether you like it or not, you’re certainly forced to venture on this claustrophobic journey entirely as side passenger and it works really well as the direction offers a short, taut and disoriented view of life in the fast lane.
Walker deserves high praise for what is easily his finest lead performance with some genuine emotional depth. Helping matters is the lack of information on his person and past, which help you believe he has nothing to lose as he runs into one problem after another. The plot ticks over with relative ease with the films simple and effective tagline offering all you really need to know in this surprisingly decent action thriller.
VEHICLE 19 is released on DVD and Blu-ray from Monday 20th May.
