Black Cadillac is a 2003 thriller film distributed by MTI Home Video, First Look International, and Artist View Entertainment. It stars Randy Quaid as Charlie Harmon, Shane Johnson as Scott, Josh Hammond as C.J., and Jason Dohring as Robbie. The writers are John Murlowski and Mark Aldis. The director is John Murlowski.
Three boys, Scott, C.J., and Robbie, stop at a Wisconsin roadhouse on their way back to Minnesota. They get into a fight and leave the bar. Not long after, a black car, a Cadillac, begins to follow and stalk them. Some time later, they pick up Deputy Sheriff Charlie Harmon, whose car had died on him. He believes the black Caddy wants a drag race and challenges the driver of the boys’ car, Scott. Afterward Scott, believing Charlie to be the reason the car is after them, kicks him out of the car. The deputy is apparently gunned down. But the car continues to pursue the boys and seemingly becomes more hostile. The boys begin to fear for their lives.
Black Cadillac is loosely based on a true story. But the word “loosely” should be emphasized here. Director John Murlowski experienced an event similar to this. Typically when it is stated that a movie is based on a true story, that story is usually of some historical significance and not just an ordeal one of the directors witnessed. For example, slasher icon Freddy Krueger was based on a bully from Wes Craven’s school. In that sense, couldn’t one say that A Nightmare On Elm Street was vaguely based on something real? All fictional works, whether it be films or books, are based somewhat on truth. Using that logic, couldn’t just about every story be considered “based on a true story”?
The previous paragraph notwithstanding, Black Cadillac is still a great film. A black Cadillac stalks three young men through the back roads of rural Wisconsin. Having the story take place in the heart of a midwestern winter just added to the suspense. As many natives of the midwest do, I dread having car trouble in the middle of nowhere on a winter’s night. It’s cold, the roads are icy and snowy, and it’s hard to see in the darkness. It is generally a very unpleasant experience. These boys had some extra heat (no pun intended) put on them by the black Caddy that was stalking them. Because of the constant advances of the hostile car, they were forced to put a lot of pressure on their car’s engine, increasing the chances of having trouble later on and, obviously, they can’t outrun the Cadillac on foot.
To wrap, Black Cadillac is a constant thrill ride from beginning to end. It will keep viewers on the edges of their seats!
