One of the wonderful things about living in Texas is that I get to witness a lot of dysfunctional family goodness. Just driving down the road I see all manner of white trash hanging out or heading to the local Wal-Mart. It actually gets so bad in Big T, that when you see a normally functioning family it really, really stands out. Occasionally we catch them at a restaurant (NOTE: Never at Wal-Mart), having dinner and laughing amongst themselves. I’m sure they are dreaming of a day that they can leave Texas behind and join the real world. (sigh….)

Speaking of dysfunctional families, when they are the subject of a movie… it can be an actor’s dream. Especially if they aren’t known for having a great range as a character actor. Such was the case when Michelle Monaghan (“Mission Impossible III”, “Gone Baby Gone”) opted to take on the role of Diane Ford in “Trucker.” Diane is a hard driving, hard drinking woman who takes what she wants, when she wants. But her life is turned upside down when her 11 year old son, Peter (Jimmy Bennett) is dropped off with her after his father (Benjamin Bratt) is diagnosed with cancer.

Diane hasn’t seen her son since he was born, so there is no relationship to speak of. There are sparks right off the bat as Peter only knows her as the woman who abandoned him as a baby and Diane hasn’t a clue how to relate to him. Fully not prepared to be a mom, Diane tries to get his father to take him back but ultimately relents and offers to take Peter on the road with her for a month. She turns to her one and seemingly only friend Runner (Nathan Fillion) to step in as a pseudo father figure while not actually out on the road.

“Trucker” presents an uncomfortable, yet decidedly voyeuristic look inside a relationship that seems doomed from the get go. Diane and Peter treat each other like crap, understandably so on Peter’s side. We are given little insight into what made Diane such a hard-ass or why she is so self-destructive when it comes to any kind of relationship. But this isn’t a movie where you are to expect any kind of happy ending, but more so a character study of two people who should by all reason love one another, yet are filled with hate. Both main characters are an actor’s dream role.

Michelle Monaghan jumps into the psyche and physicality of Diane with both feet, and creates a character that is believable, fascinating and at time excessively loathsome. It is a very strong role, and to say that Monaghan rides the edge of deserving some kind of award for her performance is an understatement. In a movie that had garnered more attention I wouldn’t have been surprised by a nomination. Jimmy Bennett, who was excellent in “Orphan” and “Shorts”, holds his own against Monaghan. This is a very adult role for Bennett, and at first it is very jarring to see him spouting obscenities like a sailor, but he turns in a great performance. I also have to mention Nathan Fillion, an actor who is finally gaining some well-deserved notoriety for TV’s “Castle”, delivers a wonderfully understated performance.

I did not receive a finished copy of the DVD for review, instead watching it on an Academy Screener, so I cannot comment on the quality of the final product or its special features. But the movie itself is well worth watching, just be prepared for a lot of obscenities being shot back and forth. It offers some great performances surrounded by a good, if occasionally stilted, film.

Directed by: James Mottern
Starring: Michelle Monaghan, Benjamin Bratt, Joey Lauren Adams, Jimmy Bennett, Nathan Fillion
Extras: Slideshow, Michelle Monaghan Prepares for the Role
Studio: Monterey Media
Release Date: 1/5/2010
MPAA Rating: R
http://www.montereymedia.com/

We'll give Trucker a B.