Road Signs: The Movie (2001) User Reviews

A solid first effort

[elevena · 7/10 · 23 July 2007]

A funny and sometimes touching movie about two guys thrown together on a journey of discovery... the black and white cinematography was interesting, reminiscent of "Clerks" perhaps, and you can tell by the dialog that this is a writer with a voice. The acting is a little spotty, and some of the cuts are not very smooth. You can tell that the locations were shot on a budget. But if you give into the plot, it doesn't matter. The story is strong, and though the filming a little bit shaky, you can see that with some more experience (and more funds), the writer/director is going to go places. What can I say - you can see the signs?

Fun Movie

[moviewench · 9/10 · 10 December 2008]

I really liked the movie. It was a strong effort for a first-time director with a modest budget. It was fun and kept your interest. I recommend seeing it highly. If more independent movies were this stylized then I think more people would be drawn in to their appeal. This movie has made some of the festivals and has drawn good crowds and excellent word of mouth. The excitement around it has always been nothing if not very positive. Do yourself a favor and take the time to sit and enjoy this film. There are many independent films out there that don't have the depth of this particular movie. With the film being set in the current time frame but shot in black and white makes it feel more like a film-noir flick but as a comedy. It is really an interesting feat and a new take on the genre.

The grand debut

[clc-6 · 5/10 · 12 July 2005]

This being Mr. Rommel's first movie- it was a valiant effort on his part as well as the cast's. As every first for any star is utilized as a learning process, I am certain that Rommel's future films will only continue to improve. The use of black and white film was intriguing. The music was enjoyable and the directing good. The sound quality could have been better, it was difficult at times to hear what was being said by the characters and the film should have been clearer in order to see that details in a scene. I enjoyed the travels taken in the film, you never knew what those boys would get into next, however;I didn't feel the obscenities added anything to the film.

Kudos to Rommel and his talents

Vulgar, yes. Funny, yes. Worth watching, yes.

[debbieshultz · 19 November 2008]

I don't really get into films like this. Meaning black and white films with no recognizable names, a lot of profanity, and a very chauvinist outlook towards women. However that being said, if I just went by my perception of what the film was going to be and didn't actually watch the film, I would have missed out on a surprisingly deep and funny film. I use the word "Deep" lightly, and that is the director's fault, as the underlying relationship issues between not only men and women but people collectively should have been given more introspective and not just the light brushing over. In a film who's theme essentially "were all the same", I though the views and the script delivered the topic in a new way. Now there are quite a few technical problems, but I understand the film is the director's first film and was made with his college friends from the theater department, so some of that can be over looked. It moved very quickly and you may have to watch it again just to catch everything. I didn't get some of the dialog or references until I watched it again, kind of like when I watch the "Simpsons". They definitely don't spoon feed you, which is good for those of a higher brain function, however the subject matter is appealing to those of a low brain function as well. Good effort!

Not great, but not bad

[cthvideo · 19 November 2008]

If you are a fan of true independent films then you will be able to let a lot of the technical aspects of this films slide. I think this was the director's first film, so he should be congratulated at least for getting it completed. Technical aspects aside, the film is well acted (Especially David Fleming as Todd) and well written. The dialogue is snappy and current. The pace is a bit quick, not enough time is given to reactions, which is common with first films. Overall, at 85 minutes, I am sure you can find worse things to do. Oh yeah, in another note, the film is male oriented. That is not saying that chicks won't dig it too, but the high maintenance sorority sisters of the world may not find the brand of humor to their liking.

A great first effort

[MeritAlexander · 8 September 2005]

With Road Signs: The Movie, Kristofer Rommel has been able to capture the eternal struggle that most of us deal with: we think we have all the answers, and in reality we don't know much. First the film is in B&W which will turn off many people to begin with, but as we have learned with indie films such as PI and Clerks, it's what's on the inside that matters. The beginning is a little dull as we meet our central characters Doug and Todd. Right away we realize they are complete polar opposites and since they are going to be stuck together on a road trip, fireworks are sure to spark. The production values are higher then you would expect with a truly indie film. And by truly I don't mean backed with Hollywood money. The film was shot with Cannon DV cameras and edited on a MAC. BUt what shines through the minor technological problems is a well crafted story and solid acting from the leads. Even the minor characters, and there are several seem to steal the scenes they are in. (Be sure to check our the deleted scenes for a hilarious, but somewhat Dahli-esquire look at the story line which follows a beggar trying to hitch a ride) Once the film gets going the time files, checking in at about 75 mins. The film seems more like 30 as the to characters travel from location to location and wax poetic about everything from the decline of music to returning items at "The local Superstore". All in all a great first effort form a writer and director that you will no doubt hear from again.

Not for the Hollywood blockbuster crowd

[FrankTarkington · 19 November 2008]

For an independent film with no money and no names, "Road Signs"succeeds with acting and writing, which is a good thing. The technical aspects of the film can be overlooked, and they are numerous, because of the nature of the film. That is not to be said that other films with similar circumstances weren't able to focus more on the technical, but it is obvious that the filmmakers left that on the end of the list of things to do. However they did get most everything else correct. Good acting by the leads and a variety of secondary characters who filter their way through the film. The dialogue was witty, and not in that played out Kevin Smith way. The plot, while not overly deep, does have a few layers that the director did an amicable job of intertwining. All in all a very good effort that should be watched if you have the time.