"The Motel Life" | Far Flungers
While their lives are less gloomy in comparison, life is still tough for Frank (Emile Hirsch) and his older brother Jerry Lee (Stephen Dorff), who have wandered together for many years in Reno, Nevada. Their father, who was probably not a very good dad to them, left his family when they were young, and, as instructed by their dying mother, two young brothers had to take care of themselves. After she died, they attempted to leave town together to avoid getting separated by the authorities, but, unfortunately, Jerry Lee lost his right foot when they tried to get a free ride on a freight train.
Since that terrible accident, they have been stuck in the shabby world of low-rent motels and seedy bars, and they look lonely and isolated with no visible future for either of them. While Jerry Lee currently has a girlfriend, it is apparent that their relationship will not last that long just like his previous relationships with other women. Frank is still haunted by the memories of his ex-girlfriend Annie (Dakota Fanning) as he slowly descends into the pit of alcoholism.
One dark, cold winter night Jerry Lee accidentally runs over a little boy with his car. It is a hit and run, and Jerry Lee is afraid of going to jail. Trembling with panic and guilt, he tells Frank that they must leave Reno immediately, and they soon get out of the city by their old car. However, things do not go well for them, and they find themselves in an even more difficult circumstances when Jerry Lee burns their car to get rid of it, then is brought to a local hospital after his botched suicide attempt.
The police come to the hospital to question Jerry Lee and it is apparent they smell something suspicious about him. Jerry Lee is terrified of getting arrested. He says he would never make it in prison, and pleads with Frank to sneak him out of the hospital. While Jerry Lee becomes ever more remorseful about his deed, Frank, desperately tries to find any possible way to get the money to buy a car to get them out of town.
While there is tension as Jerry Lee and Frank try to wiggle out of their troubles, the movie wisely puts more emphasis on characters, leisurely moving along its simple plot, and we meet a few people around these two sad, unhappy brothers. Their friends, Tommy (Joshua Leonard) and Al (Noah Harpster), come across as losers as pathetic as them, and Jerry Lee’s girlfriend Polly (Jenica Bergere) seems no better. Earl Hurley, a used car dealer played by Kris Kristofferson, is more sympathetic. He once hired Frank not long after Jerry Lee’s train accident. And while he looks genuinely concerned when he learns of Frank’s sudden decision to leave the city, he does not ask too much about Frank's and Jerry Lee's future plans. There just doesn't seem to be a lot of hope.
