SPEEDWAY JUNKY
Year: 1999
USA: Regent Entertainment
Cast: Jesse Bradford, Jordan Brower, Daryl Hannah, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Patsy Kensit, Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, Warren G, Justin Urich, Erik Alexander Gavica, Brian Stark, Timothy McNeil, Patrick Renna, Adrienne Frantz, Shevonne Durkin, Michael Roddy
Director: Nickolas Perry
Country: USA
USA: 102 mins
USA Rated: R for violence, pervasive language, sexual content and drug use
USA Release Date: 31 August 2001 (Limited Release)
Synopsis
If following dreams is easy then life would be one big party but the road to success is filled with dangerous curves. Johnny (Jesse Bradford) a young, innocent dreamer driven by his goal to race cars in North Carolina finds himself penniless and hungry in Las Vegas. After being ripped off by a female hustler, propositioned by an older man and generally jerked around Johnny is pissed off and discouraged. He meets Eric (Jordan Brower) who introduces Johnny to his street hustler friends - JT (Erik Alexander Gavica), Pez Boy (Brian Stark), Scooby (Justin Urich), Steven (Jonathan Taylor Thomas) and others. They hype up their destitute life with quick talk, wild stories and wads of cash. Eric and Johnny become friends, soul mates and brothers helping each other through the maze called life. Reality is always lurking right behind fantasy and as Johnny soon discovers these boys are not living such a glamorous life. Filled with drugs, mobsters, hunger, loneliness, deceit, abuse and betrayal these boys try to survive and Johnny is forced to ask himself how far will he go for his dream?
SPEEDWAY JUNKY's cast of characters include Veronica (Daryl Hannah) - a gorgeous, abused, ex-dancer who guides Eric and Johnny through their journey with her love and her torrid tales of prostitution and escape, Wilma (Tiffani-Amber Thiessen) - a sexy southerner who is left alone on her wedding night and reaches out to Johnny for love and sex, Steven who personifies the successful male, bisexual hustler and Donna played by Patsy Kensit. Through all the grime and depression two things hold themselves higher than the illusionary lights of Las Vegas the strong friendship between Johnny and Eric and Johnny's dream of escaping and becoming a race car driver. These truths are constantly under siege surrounded by fear and tension. Johnny struggles to stay focused throughout the arrests, tricks, sex, fighting, and drugs while Eric is always there by his side. Johnny leans true love and friendship without prejudice.
This must dash-see, edgy, sexually provocative movie speaks to everyone who's ever dared to make their dreams a reality. Before everyone journeys into the unknown depths of their soul questions must be asked. How far and how fast will he go? Who are your friends? When the game is over and you've won are you still the same person? Take the chance, start your engine and join Johnny on his personal journey from innocence to reality.
