SPEEDWAY JUNKIE

US, 1999, 105 minutes, Colour.
Jesse Bradford, Jordan Brower, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Daryl Hannah, Tiffany Thiessen, Patsy Kensit.
Directed by Nickolas Perry.

Speedway Junkie is something of a junior Midnight Cowboy. A young man played by Jesse Bradford runs away from home, especially his father with his military discipline in the home. He is interested in the car racing circuit. However, he ends up in Las Vegas, is robbed, comes across a gang and becomes part of it.

The two central characters in the gang are Eric and Steve, played by Jordan Brower and Jonathan Taylor Thomas. Eric is a gay man and is infatuated with Johnny. Steve is a much more violent and ambiguous character. Daryl Hannah and Patsy Kensit have supporting roles.

The film shows the grubbier aspects of hustling life in a city like Las Vegas. The film was directed by Nickolas Perry, a writer and documentary-maker (Hunting for the President, the documentary about attempts to attack Bill Clinton).

1. The impact of the film, the niche audience? American response? Universal?

2. The Las Vegas settings, the streets and lights of the city, the casinos? The contrast between the wealthy living in the city, the streets and poverty? Las Vegas alive at night? The songs and the musical score?

3. The title, its description of Johnny? His love for the speedway? His addiction – and its consequences?

4. The credits and the game, loud, the diner clients, no quarters?

5. Johnny’s aim, the speedway circuit, to be a driver? The army background, the discipline, his absorbing the prejudices? Not wanting to be told how to act? His absent mother, dreams of his mother?

6. Johnny as naïve, his pretences, going to Las Vegas, his bewilderment, ambitions, going to the casino, his being robbed? His sitting in the streets? His being picked up – and given breakfast? The masochism? The group and mistrust? Eric and his story, sexual orientation, Johnny’s response, the kiss and the reaction? The wedding sequence and their being thrown out?

7. The atmosphere of the Las Vegas streets, the people on the streets, their backgrounds? Steve and his position in the gang, his personality, bisexual? The drugs, the stolen cars, the clients? Eric and his way of life? A more sympathetic character? Not entirely bleak – but a bleak life?

8. Johnny and his motivation, the need for money, the discussions with Eric, Eric setting him up? The encounter with Veronica, her being nice? The stories, the warnings? Donna and his getting the lift? His relationship with the girls? What was happening to him?

9. Eric in himself, the story, his mother? With the group, sexual orientation, sensitivity? The kiss, caring for Johnny, bed and breakfast, with Veronica? Unrequited love? Riding, talking, sharing the stories – and experiencing some happiness?

10. The character of Veronica, the dance, the drugs? The police and protection? A victim? The warning? The sexual encounter, the birthday, at the end?

11. The world of drugs, dealing, Stephen and his role, the dangers? Guns? Life on the street, the soup, the shooting? The death and the dollar?

12. The finale, the end of Johnny’s journey? The repercussions for Steve? For Eric? How much of a success?

13. An exploration of young characters, possibilities in life, hopes, sexual orientations, behaviour, hustling, a morality story?