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Cast: Ethan Hawke (Boyhood, Before Midnight, Training Day), Elaine Hendrix ("Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll"), Diane Gaeta (Other People's Children), Mo McRae ("Empire," The First Purge), Chris Sullivan ("This Is Us," Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2), and Betty Gabriel ("Westworld," Get Out)
Russ Millings has just been released from prison after serving 21 years for a 3rd strike conviction for possessing an ounce of marijuana. As he tries to adapt to a world he doesn’t recognize – including trying to learn how to use the internet – he finds an abandoned baby in a dumpster behind the fast food restaurant where he works as a dishwasher. Unsure of what to do, and caught between impulses of kindness and panic, Russ soon realizes this could be his chance at redemption.
Fresh out of prison for his 3rd strike conviction Russ Millings finds the world outside to be a scary place and his future uncertain after spending 21 years behind bars.
It doesn't take Russ long to find a job as a dish washer but his life gets turned upside down when he finds a baby in a dumpster behind his work.
But he makes the mistake of taking the baby home instead of calling authorities and it catches up to him when the baby falls off the bed and he has to take the her to the hospital. After the child is taken and put into foster care Russ decides to hop a bus and head back home. Once there he finds out that his dad left him something and from there it chances his out look on life.
'Adopt a Highway' is a drama about a man looking to find his way in a world he no longer recognizes. It was written and directed by Logan Marshall-Green who is better known for his acting. He does a good job in his debut even though the story could have used a bit more work. The film is definitely an emotional one and it is carried by Ethan Hawke's subtle but engaging and powerful performance with his scenes with the baby. The rest of the cast were all very good as well.
'Adopt a Highway' seems to be a missed opportunity to be something special because of the lack of focus when it comes to the story because it just jumps around too much instead of focusing on one narrative. but it is still worth a look for the acting from Hawke and the rest of the cast including Elaine Hendrix who is terrific even though she basically has a cameo in the film.
ADOPT A HIGHWAY is available now on Blu-ray and DVD so if you are looking for something different to watch besides the usual Hollywood fare check this out.
Released by RLJE Films
*** Out Of *****