Faced
with the familiar conundrum of crafting a new image as an adult, former Mickey Mouse Club child star Tommy Kirk
signed on to play a disgraced Vietnam veteran in this downbeat drama from
cowriter/director Duke Kelly, who never made another theatrically released film.
Conceptually, Ride the Hot Wind is
rich. Kirk plays Captain Gregory Shank, a character inspired by William Calley,
the real-life American officer responsible for the My Lai massacre. In Ride the Hot Wind, Gregory is accused of
orchestrating a My Lai-type slaughter, then tried and briefly imprisoned by the
Army. All the while, he claims innocence. After enduring abuse in military
prison, Gregory tries to start fresh in civilian life, but his past haunts
him—employers fire Gregory once they learn his true identity, strangers drag
him into brawls, and women can’t handle his emotional baggage. Eventually,
Gregory finds a new tribe with a group of bikers, but that situation turns sour
when the bikers’ propensity for pointless violence leads to a crime spree and
then a manhunt by police who assume Gregory is the ringleader. One wishes Kelly
had sold his concept to reputable producers, thus resulting in a better script,
a proper budget, and more impressive casting. Just imagine a slick version of Ride the Hot Wind starring, say, Bruce
Dern—I mean, like, wow, man. Despite obviously trying hard, Kirk is not
anywhere near that level. His acting is as inconsistent and labored as Kelly’s
direction and scripting, so Ride the Hot
Wind in a deeply underwhelming (and sometimes unintentionally funny)
viewing experience. What a bummer of a missed opportunity.
Ride the Hot Wind: LAME
1 comment:
Never mind his Diznee days: this is a very long way from 'The Ghost In The Invisible Bikini', or the insane 'Mother Goose A Go-Go'!
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