TRAVELLER

US, 1997, 101 minutes, Colour.
Bill Paxton, Mark Wahlberg, Julianna Margulies, Luke Askew, James Gammon.

Traveler is a story of about a group of American gypsies. It stars Bill Paxton and Mark Wahlberg.

The presumption of the film is that gypsies are con men, travelling around the United States, deceiving customers, making money. This is illustrated by their offers to pour fake tar down on car ports, on water towers. They buy trailers and sell them at a profit. The main con illustrated in the film concerns Julianna Margulies and the pretense of a reward for finding a jewel pin. However, Paxton, against the rule of the community, falls in love with Julianna Margulies.

Luke Askew, usually a sinister in films, is the boss of the gypsies. Because Mark Wahlberg’s father had left the community, the son was not welcome at the funeral. However, he is taken on by Paxton.

James Gammon is very good and is the roguish Double D. There is a subplot about a con with counterfeit money, which ultimately is a threat to Julianna Margulies and her daughter.

The film was directed by Jack Green, who worked as a photographer and director of photography for many Clint Eastwood films (there is a glimpse of one of them, Every which way but Loose).

1. An offbeat tale of crime and confidence tricks? The implications for the gypsy community? Justified or not?

2. The road film, the gypsy community, Bokky and Pat, motels, diners? Authentic American atmosphere? ‘King of the Road’ during the opening credits? The musical score?

3. The laws of the community, Pat coming for the funeral, boss Jack not wanting him there, denunciation of his father for marrying outside the community, Bokky and his helping Pat?

4. Bokky, his character, age, genial, seeing him trick the couple with their car port? His return home? His not being married? The con trick with Pat? And the water tower, the old farmer, seeing through the trick, his previous losses, his gun?

5. Meeting Jean at the bar, Pat with his story? The pin, his pretence, drinks for everyone, playing pool, losing the pin? His offering the big reward? Leaving the motel?

6. Bokky, genial, finding the pin, bargaining about the money, taking the money from Jean?

7. Jean, her daughter, the need for operation? Her divorce? Encountering Bokky and Pat? Giving the money back? Bokky and his continued visits to Jean, their relationship?

8. The deal with the counterfeit money? The selling of the trailers and making a profit? Double D, his personality, his suggestion about the con? Meeting the dealers, carrying off the deception? The dealers and the discovering the false papers? Killing Double D?

9. The threats to Jean and her daughter, the shootouts? Rescued by boss Jack?

10. The light touch with the Bokky and Pat? The seriousness of their cons? Romance, Pat and Boss Jack’s daughter?