Around this period there were a slew of serial killer pictures about ('The Bone Collector', 'The Watcher'), however this little independent production added it's own distinctive spin to the conventions and situation involving a separate group of strangers travelling the lonely back-roads one night listening to the same radio station as a serial killer is on the loose and the FBI are on the killer's bloody trail. Where this one really works is that in the interactions and social insight between the characters of the piece. It's almost a spiritual journey involving life, death and fate on the open desert road and J.S. Cardone's intelligently complete screenplay complements it. Cardone who's also behind the director's chair makes the film look sleek with it low-scale origins and intertwines tautly layered tension from its slow-going progression. The laid-back style works, and this lets the verbose script open up with offbeat humour and vivid realisations as everything seems to fall by chance and link up by the end with essentially the music station being the wider voice. The performances create a genuine quality of people trying to find their feet and serial killer aspect seems like a background tool. As he is hard-done by in the character study, because there was a lot more to milk out of it than what we actually received. The premise's concept reminded me of another feature starring Danny Glover, Pam Grier and Michelle Rodriguez; '3 A.M. (2001)'. Making it very watchable is an experienced and quite likable cast featuring Robert Forster (in a heartfelt turn), Kevin Pollack, Penelope Ann Miller (both were terrific and the chemistry rolled off very well), Sherilyn Fenn, Taj Mahal (is memorable as the ragged DJ), Meat Loaf, Kateri Walker and David Paymer (is suitably placid and unnerving in a bloodstained killer role). The violence of certain scenes has a nasty edge and killer from the get-go is obviously suggested. The arousing soundtrack is mainly made up of rollicking country tunes and folksy blues that are being beamed from the radio speakers. The film's conclusion with the disc jockey's final words could have been easily discarded and better off.
Review of Outside Ozona
