Honky Tonk Freeway

This colorful but ultimately tiresome comedy attempts to blend a Robert Altman-esque satire of Americana with the gonzo broad comedy of southern-set comedies like Smokey and The Bandit. Unfortunately, it never finds the right balance between these elements. The problem lies in the script, which is so overloaded with characters and subplots that none of them ever get room to develop. As a result, the characters often come off as shrill caricatures and the film loses momentum after a promising titles sequence. Once all these threads are brought into one location, the script falls apart completely and foregoes tying up any loose ends in favor of a tiresome slapstick setpiece. The script also is too self-conscious in its attempts to be "hip," resulting in tiresome gags about cocaine and swinging that have not aged well. Director John Schlesinger piles on the style (including some eye-popping photography from John Bailey and a rousing Elmer Bernstein score) but is ultimately overwhelmed by the film's overpacked, sophomoric storyline. On the plus side, Honky Tonk Freeway benefits from a solid cast full of appealing character actors: Beau Bridges is likable as a misguided children's book author and Beverly D'Angelo is fetching as his nymphomaniacal object of affection, but its William Devane who steals the show as the mayor who angles to turn his little town into a tourist paradise. He plays the material straight and infuses it with a bit of heart, making one wish that the filmmakers had chosen to build the film around him. In the end, Honky Tonk Freeway is too shrill and obnoxious in its attempts to hit the satirical bullseye and can only be recommended to cult movie completists. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide