Bullet Points: Drive Like Lightning
There was a time in my life when all I wanted to do was become a stuntman. Not because of the adrenaline filled death defying stunts, but because daredevils always have the coolest names. I’m talking about the likes of Evel Knievel, Super Dave Osborne, Spanky Spangler, and Boll Donner. I also love to go to local fairs to see the liquored up yahoos try to jump any number of vehicles with my fingers crossed everything doesn’t go as planned. Luckily, I also get to see many of the daredevils from their Hollywood stunt work either behind the scenes or sometimes in front of the camera. I just so happen to have some Bullet Points to share from one of my favorite stuntman movies. This time we will be “Goin’ Easy” as we take a look at the 1992 movie Drive Like Lightning, fingers crossed everything goes as planned.
- Live Like a Sad Sack – Charlie Robinson (Steven Bauer, Hooded Angels) is a down in the dumps former stuntman who is feeling sorry for himself because his half-brother Billy was severely injured during a stunt. Luckily, we get to see the epic car stunt/crash… now whether this was a new stunt for the movie or if was stock or recycled footage I will leave that up to you to decide. Charlie is not looking for any work, but after former colleague Walter (James Handy, Gang Related) asks Charlie to drive famed stuntman Boll Donner’s (William Russ) car the Weevil to L.A. and with some soul searching with Billy, Charlie is soon behind the wheel of the 18 wheeler. The shit eating grin that Charlie has while driving the big rig is worth the price of admission.
- Act Like a Gentleman – While at truck stop, Charlie saves Ginger (Cynthia Gibb, Death Warrant) from a typical rapey truck driver that she was hitchhiking with. Now in need of a ride out west, Ginger hops in the cab with Charlie and we are treated to the nascent beginnings of an underrated action couple. As a shock to probably no one, the semi breaks down and Charlie and Ginger are forced to drive the Weevil to go get the parts. Enter the redneck sheriff who doesn’t take a liking to Charlie. As a consummate professional, Charlie isn’t going to let something like the authorities stop him from delivering the Weevil… cue the cross country chase scenes. Ginger proves to be just as adept as Charlie in running from the law and behind the wheel of the Weevil. Don’t worry, there’s still some time for the quickly connecting pair of Charlie and Ginger to stop and engage in some basic cable love making. Saving someone from being arrested is a real aphrodisiac.
- Lie Like a Grifter – Luckily for Boll, Charlie really wants to deliver the Weevil because we learn that the reason Boll is looking to do his next stunt is because he is in deep with some shady characters due to a gambling problem. Boll has decided to up the ante for his jump and wants to do a corkscrew jump over a canyon for one million dollars. Don’t feel too bad for Boll because Charlie soon learns that Boll was responsible for Billy’s accident. The reason why, you ask? Billy turned down Boll’s wife Tonya’s advances once and she was so upset that she told Boll that Billy cheated with her. Charlie, with Ginger riding shotgun, now has the authorities after him and the men Boll has sent to retrieve the Weevil. You better believe everyone his headed to a final showdown at the canyon jump site.
Drive Like Lightning is a fun harmless movie, thanks in large parts to cast. There was chemistry between Steven Bauer and Cynthia Gibb, and William Russ can play a smarmy bastard with the best of them. The Weevil might be the best character, and how can a jet powered car not be, but if you want to see a corkscrew jump that was not done with miniatures I have to recommend The Man with the Golden Gun. Drive Like Lightning is not perfect, and tries to fit too many superfluous storylines like Walter’s involvement with Billy and the gambling debt, Ginger’s family (but I did like the trucker justice they doled out and the fact they have a son named Doolie) and the TV negotiations (although Gregory Itzin knocked the role out of the park.) It might be too late for me to be a stuntman (the higher ups at BPA have me locked in with an ironclad contract) but I still can enjoy a diverting 96 minutes by watching Drive Like Lightning. You might think that this Bullet Points is over but you can still enjoy some Bonus Bullet Points.
- Boll… Weevil – I Get It! – The Weevil was built by famed Hollywood stuntman and car builder Dean Jeffries. You might remember Jeffries’ work in Convoy, but I have always enjoyed his work on the Monkeemobile.
- Best (Not Sure It Is an) Insult – It is said that Tonya Donner “has a mouth as big as Texas.”
- U-S-A! U-S-A! – Drive Like Lightning was a made for TV movie that was first broadcast on the aptly named USA cable network, USA Network, as the aptly named program, USA Network World Premiere Movie, in 1992.
- Best Nicety – I love when common words are substituted for swears, like when Boll Donner exclaims, “C’mon, you chicken dip!”
- If You Ever… Wanted to see William Russ go to a business meeting in a skimpy pair of swimming briefs, then Drive Like Lightning is for you.
