IT STARTED AS A JOKE. NOW THE JOKE IS ON THEM.
Two brothers (Paul Walker, Steve Zahn) headed for New Jersey play a prank on a trucker using a CB radio, but they soon learn that the man wants revenge badly. Co-writer/producer J.J. Abrams really has a thing for Steven Spielberg; this is virtually a remake of hisĀ classic TV movie Duel (1971). But John Dahl knows his stuff and the faceless trucker becomes quite a scary guy. Itās an absurd story that just gets more difficult to believe in, but if you stop thinking about it youāll have a good time. Zahn is perfect; Walker is the straight man and the filmmakers use his dullness effectively.
2001-U.S. 97 min. Color. Widescreen.Ā Produced byĀ J.J. Abrams, Chris Moore.Ā Directed byĀ John Dahl.Ā Screenplay: J.J. Abrams, Clay Tarver.Ā Cast:Ā Paul Walker (Lewis Thomas), Leelee Sobieski (Venna), Steve Zahn (Fuller Thomas), Jessica Bowman.Ā
Trivia:Ā The voice of āRusty Nailā, the menacing trucker, was provided by Ted Levine; Eric Stoltz and Eric Roberts were allegedly considered for that part.Ā Followed by a direct-to-DVD sequel, Joy Ride 2: Dead Ahead (2008).Ā
