Vanishing Point (1971)

"Hey Kowalski, you out there?", 17 February 2008

Kowalski is a driver. It's all he's known whether from his former life as stock car driver or a policeman. Driving is in his blood. His new job is delivering cars across the country. His assignment is to take a Dodge Challenger from Denver to San Francisco. And Kowalski intends to do it in record time. It's not long before Kowalski has the police from four states hot on his trail.

There's really not a lot you can write about Vanishing Point without first discussing the film's finale. And, it's almost impossible to discuss the ending of Vanishing Point without giving it away. I'll try not to give too much away, but it will be difficult. Vanishing Point is as nihilistic a movie as I've seen. Why did Kowalski do what he did? And why does Kowalski even have to get to San Francisco in such a hurry? The way I see it, the two are related in Kowalski's desire for freedom. He does what he does at the end of the movie to express the ultimate freedom. Also, in Kowalski world view, driving represents freedom. He is driving from Denver to San Francisco because that's what he does – he drives. It may not be the way you or I see the world, but it's Kowalski's way.

Beyond the ending, Vanishing Point is a fascinating movie. If you don't think you would find scene after scene of a 1970 Alpine White Dodge Challenger going down the highway exciting, Vanishing Point might not be a good choice for you. I'll admit, however, that once he reached the vast, limitless desert, I began to worry that I might also lose interest. But it's these seemingly endless scenes interrupted by Kowalski's flashbacks or a chance meeting with a stranger that make the ending so powerful. There's no predicting what's about to come. It's an awesome experience!

8/10