3/5 Killer leaves trail of clues...
  by
While watching The Bone Collector at a theater recently I was reminded of Switchback and the similar theme of a killer leaving intentional clues and daring the police to find them before they killed again. Although both movies suffered from Hollywood's habit of providing unlikely coincidences I enjoyed both films. Switchback on DVD is close to reference quality with a great picture enhancing the beautiful scenery and tremendous audio provided by the Dolby Digital soundtrack. The fight scene toward the end is particularly exciting with the sound cranked up. The movie's locales are off the beaten track and that alone can sometimes be recommendation enough. See it...at least once.

4/5 GLOVER'S FILM
  by Michael Butts (Martinsburg, WV USA)
SWITCHBACK is a good movie. I felt it had some great suspense scenes and the climax is a different one. Director Jeb Stuart has orchestrated some beautiful snow shots, and utilizes the special effects quite well. The main problem with the movie is Dennis Quaid's performance. I have enjoyed many of Quaid's roles, particularly in "Frequency" and "Innerspace." In this one, however, his stoic, emotionless FBI agent is so wooden and lifeless that I didn't find myself sympathizing with him on the kidnapping of his child nor his quest to find the serial killer. Danny Glover, however, is superb. He demonstrates a wide range of emotions, and even though you know where his role is going to take him, it's a pleasure going along for the ride. The suspense he creates in the scene in the convenience store is acutely eeerie. Jared Leto is okay as the mysterious hitchhiker, but a little more sinister behavior could have enhanced the mystery. William Frichtner as the newly elected sheriff did a commendable job with his underwritten role. (He was also excellent in "Perfect Storm."). This is the first movie I liked R. Lee Ermey. Usually playing the redneck villian, he gets a chance to play a redneck good guy and he seems to relish the change. Ted Levine, the bad guy from "Silence of the Lambs" plays Ermey's deputy with such downhome fervor, he too emerges a winner in the casting department. Basil Polodorous' score was also effective. Not a classic, but it deserved more than it got on its initial release; just wish Quaid had been directed differently.
RECOMMENDED.

4/5 HEY! WHADAYA WANT ANYWAY?
  by M. Hartmann (Milan, Michigan United States)
There appeared to be enough mystery and strangeness to start out with.
Two fine actors - performance very good - story [predictable?] oh well.
A bit gory! but then --- what makes a movie? the back and forth suspense kept your attention. Certainly enjoyed the Sheriff - FBI appeared ineffectual - Quaid's determination to find the seriel killer was understandable - Glover's motive not quite clear but played with panauche.
Hey, it was worth seeing - definitely recommended if your not squeamish! [1997] not bad.

5/5 Male bonding
  by Suppiluliuma
I enjoy movies with male bonding or female bonding. A good example of the former is Rio Bravo, and the latter Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. This movie is generally overlooked from this perspective. I personally liked the relationship between the sheriff and Quaid, and in a different way that between Glover and the hitchhiker. It has my vote as one of the best movies of this type in recent years. I cannot understand how anyone can call its plot "predictable" -- I thought Quaid might get Glover in the end but did not anticipate the final scene, which was made all the more impressive by the absence of dialogue.

4/5 Wonderful
  by Gloria M. Dunn (Memphis, TN)
I loved this movie. It was refreshing to see Danny Glover as a bad guy again. And while the movie can sometimes fall into predictable lines, that does not detract from the appeal. Quaid as a hardened FBI agent is casting against type and Jared Leto as the unspecting friend of Glover leads to wonderful if not suprising twists. While not totally orginal it is still a good way to spend two hours.