There’s definitely a certain allure to that late-60s/early-80s timeline in America, especially around what I could only call truck stop culture. I’m not even entirely sure what it is but it’s always fascinated me, maybe it’s the neo-pioneer feel to a world where you’re all alone on two-lane blacktop with nothing but desert all around. Whatever it is, writer/director Francis Galluppi, knows how to fully capture it as seen in his new film The Last Stop in Yuma County.
The film is centered on a middle of nowhere Arizona truck stop diner run by the jovial Vernon (Faizon Love), a proprietor that takes pride in his place and his obligation to help travelers passing through. On this particular day the help he provides is in the form of letting those that stop in know that there isn’t another gas station for 400 miles so they’ll need to fill up before moving on. One problem, the station tanks are empty and the driver coming to fill them up is running behind schedule. Normally an inconvenience to be sure, but not catastrophic. On this day however, the little diner is going to be playing host to a number of folks that probably shouldn’t be stuck in a room together on a hot day with no AC. There’s the waitress and paramour to the local sheriff, Charlotte (Jocelin Donahue), a traveling knife salesman (our lead, Jim Cummings), two bank robbers on the run from a robbery that’s lighting up the radio waves, an older couple and finally, the cherry on top, a young couple who desperately want to be the next Bonnie & Clyde. Oh…and by the way, in case there wasn’t enough tinder for this eventual fire, the AC in the building isn’t working.
As a general rule I don’t reference other articles or reviews in my writing, but I feel like I have to make an exception here because of the sheer consistency of people claiming this as a Tarantino rip-off. While they are (somehow) saying these things in a positive way, I still take issue with the characterization. I mean…after all, wasn’t Tarantino “ripping off” films he loved from the 70s? While I see where this comes from, and honestly if you wanted to relay the tone of this film this isn’t an inaccurate way to do so, I think it takes away from the work put into it. Galluppi, who is a first time feature director with this film, clearly has influences but those influences are much broader then just Tarantino. There’s bits of Rami, the Coens and even the great Sidney Lumet. Case in point, I don’t think this guy is ripping off anyone, I think he’s a student of the arts and is applying his favorite lessons to his debut feature.
One set films like this don’t rely on just the director though, the success of the final product in this case lives and dies on the cast and while you’re not likely to instantly recognize the names there is some real talent in these frames. Jim Cummings, who is surprisingly good at playing a blank slate, just feels like he belongs in the era and keeps you guessing as to his intentions throughout. Jocelin Donahue, Nicholas Logan, Faizon Love, all provide pillars of believability throughout. The star of the show, as he usually is (to me) is Richard Brake. Brake, with a name you don’t know and a face you damn sure do is a frequent Rob Zombie collaborator and can be seen in everything from The Mandalorian to Kingsman: The Secret Service. Brake is, I’m sure, a nice guy but damned if he wasn’t given a face made for nefarious dealings, a gift that he puts on full display here as the brains of a robbery that is quite literally a lit stick of dynamite. It’s Brake, more then anyone else in the film that has you praying the truck driver with the fuel is just around the corner.
The Last Stop in Yuma County is my favorite type of film. No, I don’t mean noir-ish crime thrillers, though those are up there, what I mean is a film that I had little to no expectations for and then ended up just thoroughly enjoying. Like I said, the Tarantino rip-off sentiments are off-base BUT they do provide a solid basis for referral. If you are a fan of films like Reservoir Dogs or Dog Day Afternoon then The Last Stop in Yuma County is a must see for you this weekend.
The Last Stop in Yuma County is out now in select theaters and OnDemand, get it here!
