He Went That Way is the directorial debut by Jeffrey Darling, who sadly passed away just as he completed production on the film. Loosely based on a real-life event from Vietnam-era America in 1964, this dark and violent drama is a classic road movie in a long line of the genre.
Zachary Quinto
stars as hapless entertainer Jim, who drives around America, entertaining ever-dwindling crowds with his performing chimpanzee Spanky, brilliantly played by Phoenix Notary. Life changes abruptly when he picks up handsome, yet psychotic, hitchhiker Bobby (rising star Jacob Elordi (Priscilla, Saltburn)). Unknown to Jim, Bobby is on the run having recently murdered two men in separate incidents. Jim is heading east on Route 66, on a three-day trip to Chicago from Death Valley, and agrees to take Bobby along, despite witnessing Bobby display rather aggressive behavior to another driver who turns down his request for a lift.
The two set off. Polite conversation comes to an abrupt halt when dishonorably-discharged ex-Air Force recruit Bobby expresses annoyance at Jim’s personal questions. It soon becomes clear that Bobby is mentally all over the place. Laid-back Jim takes this in his stride until things reach a head on their first evening’s motel rest stop, and Bobby pulls a gun on Jim. What follows is a very intense, chaotic couple of days as rather submissive Jim tries to manage both his violent companion, and the increasingly stressed Spanky.
Darling’s film combines beautiful summer-time Route 66 cinematography, a 1960s soundtrack and strong casting, but, although based on a true story, is let down by a rather implausible embellishment of the actual tale. There is no way that Jim wouldn’t have exercised the various opportunities he has to escape the clutches of complete maniac Bobby, even if we assume some kind of Stockholm Syndrome has set in. Jim almost seems to be indifferent to Bobby’s chaos. Also, Bobby’s murderous crime spree doesn’t seem to result in any kind of police interest in him. Elordi is simply beautiful, and no doubt has a great career ahead of him, but in this film gives a slightly over-the-top performance as the maniacal Bobby. This, combined with various inconsequential sub-plots, leaves the viewer slightly frustrated. A shame, as this could have been a great film.
Queerguru’s Contributing Editor Ris Fatah is a successful fashion/luxury business consultant (when he can be bothered) who divides and wastes his time between London and Ibiza. He is a lover of all things queer, feminist, and human rights in general. @ris.fatah
