Fast Track (2006)

Director:

Jesse Peretz

Writers (WGA):

David Guion (written by) &
Michael Handelman (written by)

Release Date:

11 May 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

Credit-grabbing, back-stabbing, wife-nabbing. Just another day at the office.

Plot:

A slacker (Braff) is forced to work for his father-in-law after his pregnant wife (Peet) steps away from her high-paying job.

Plot Keywords:

Marriage Counselor | Little Boy | Mother In Law | Bicycle Accident | Kitchen Scene

Cast

Zach Braff	...	Tom Reilly
Amanda Peet	...	Sofia Kowalski
Jason Bateman	...	Chip Sanders
Charles Grodin	...	Bob Kowalski
Mia Farrow	...	Amelia Kowalski
Lucian Maisel	...	Wesley
Donal Logue	...	Don Wollebin
Amy Poehler	...	Carol Lane
Fred Armisen	...	Manny
Bob Stephenson	...	Doug
Yaffit Hallely	...	Woman
Josh Charles	...	Forrest Mead
Marin Hinkle	...	Karen
Yul Vazquez	...	Paco
Michael Lawson	...	Busboy

Also Known As:

The Ex (USA) (new title)

Runtime:

USA:89 min | Argentina:95 min | Germany:93 min (European Film Market) | Canada:77 min | USA:84 min (unrated version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:Not Rated (unrated version) | Argentina:13 | UK:12 | Finland:K-13 | Brazil:12 | Singapore:M18 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #43053) | Germany:6

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

2929 Productions

Trivia:

Originally titled The Fast Track.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: Clearly visible out the window of candy & ice cream shop supposedly in Ohio is an awning with a phone number with a 718 area code, which belongs to New York City's outer boroughs.

Quotes:

Tom Reilly: He's paralyzed from the waist down!
Sofia Kowalski: [with a satisfied smile] Not completely!

Movie Connections:

References The Karate Kid (1984)

A couple of yuks, but it ain't all that. - 5 of 10

I had high hopes for this film and made my friend watch it. His comment at the end was that he was glad he didn't spend any money on it. I must agree. While I enjoy all the actors involved, the film just doesn't have enough going for it to put it over the top. Too much talent was shown and then not used. This left me wanting.

With regards to the plot element: We care about Tom and Sofia, but Tom acts like an idiot and Sofia appears to brush him off too easily. Of course, this is to play into the plot, but it was too hard to believe after the beginning was set up so solidly. The result is a plot that cannot maintain it's credibility through to the end. It's a light film, so this isn't the greatest of crimes.

All in all, it is enjoyable, but it's middle of the road fare and certainly not worth the 8.1 rating that it is currently riding at. Rather somewhere between a five and a six depending on your perspectives and your mood. If you are rating this film higher, go watch Zach in Garden State and rethink your rating. That film is truly worth it's current 8 rating.

Enough said, 5 of 10.