I got this film because the video title "Hellcab", and artwork made me think it was a horror movie with a decent cast. This was on the new release wall, unlike the poor guy with the Hollywood Video experience. Maybe he should change stores to one that knows videos. At any rate, the show even starts with a dark night scene, and you don't see the driver's face, he has a hood covering it. Ah, you say, the sinister, evil, demon-possessed driver. Nope, just Paul Dillon, a regular guy, who drives a taxi in Chicago. Okay, so we're going to do a DeNiro/Taxi Driver- type movie. Wrong. This is a look at the types of people he has to deal with. There are the nice moments and rewarding events, but equally or more so is the misery they bring to his life. I agree that there should have been more to each encounter than what was given. I figured that John Cusack's ride, or Gillian Anderson's ride would have had so much more, but, like all the other passengers, they enter, have a very small scene, and are departed before you get to know them. I got to where I didn't care about the riders. They were gone like ghosts too quickly. Some of it was tremendously unnatural. Julianne Moore's character just sat in the backseat, and had a short exchange with Dillon. A person who has just been raped, dealt with the cops (who didn't even give her a ride home!! don't get raped in Chicago), and had been to the hospital, should have been a basketcase. She should have been crying, or fighting back the tears. I think to have had her breakdown and tell the whole story to Dillon would have been great, and given us a chance to see a different side of Dillon as he dealt with this.
I guess this was a success as a play. As a movie, no, unless you enjoy a movie that certainly would not make me want to be a cab driver in Chicago. It's not dull or boring, just not as satisfying as it should have or could have been.
I now understand why the title was changed. Under the original "Chicago Cab", few would have rented it. Under the video title and eerie artwork, you get suckered into it. If you want drama, go for it, if you want horror, take Lake Placid or Bats. They are horror and are better.
I guess this was a success as a play. As a movie, no, unless you enjoy a movie that certainly would not make me want to be a cab driver in Chicago. It's not dull or boring, just not as satisfying as it should have or could have been.
I now understand why the title was changed. Under the original "Chicago Cab", few would have rented it. Under the video title and eerie artwork, you get suckered into it. If you want drama, go for it, if you want horror, take Lake Placid or Bats. They are horror and are better.