The story of Charlie Bronson (Shepard), a nice guy with a questionable past who risks everything when he busts out of the witness protection program to deliver his fiance (Kristen Bell) to Los Angeles to seize a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Currently in witness protection, Yul Perkins, now known as Charlie Bronson (Dax Shepard) lives in the small town of Milton in California. His girlfriend Annie Bean (Kristen Bell) is a Professor at the local college teaching Non-Violent Conflict Resolution. She gets an interview for her dream job but it is in Los Angeles. The problem being that if Charlie goes with her to LA there is a good chance that he is going to be found by his former 'friend' Alexander Dmitri (Bradley Cooper) who he is currently trying to avoid after testifying against him.
Hit & Run as the title and poster suggest is a high octane chase movie, starring, written and directed by Dax Shepard. It's a chase movie with comedy in the tradition of Smokey and the Bandit. Shepard drives cars in the movie from his own private collection, most notably a 700BHP, '67 Lincoln Continental. Shepard did all of his own driving and stunts.
Hit & Run is a testosterone driven riot, with fast cars doing what they do best - high speed chasing, off-roading, jumping, doing donuts, peeling out and crashing! But it's not just car chases, there are fights and blood. It's a guys dream film - made by a guy for guys.
That said it opens with a beautiful and touching scene between Shepard and Kristen and it does have a strong love-story element to it as well - focussing on putting the past behind you and moving forward in life and relationships. We can't change the past. We can only choose to accept it and move on, or end the relationship. The road trip is metaphorical for the changes in life that they are experiencing. In that sense it's weirdly romantic. And of course there is, perhaps unsurprisingly, good chemistry between the leads as Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard are real-life partners. They are engaged and Bell is pregnant, but the pair has refused to get married until same-sex marriage is legalised in California - something I applaud.
In many ways what I want to tell you about this film - the story behind the story if you will - is more about the real life relationship between Shepard and Bell and the effort Shepard has put into making this film - clearly a dream for him. Shepard has chosen all of the elements that make the film very carefully. He has given roles to his fiancée, friends (Bradley Cooper and Jason Bateman) and even his own sister and used all of his own cars as well as scripting and directing himself.
Hit & Run doesn't necessarily feel like a major cinema release. You can tell it is low budget ($2m), but not in the way that it looks, more the way it feels. It's very well made with high production values and strong direction. Maybe it's because it's a road movie, a chase movie, that feels as though it's been shot guerrilla-style.
Also despite the combined major star power of Bradley Cooper, Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard, plus a great ensemble back-up cast and a brief, but enjoyable cameo by Jason Bateman, it still feels like an undiscovered gem, as though it's a film no one else has seen.
Make sure you watch it!
We will publish your review of Hit and Run on DVD within a few days as long as it meets our guidelines.
None of your personal details will be passed on to any other third party.
Please note this is a region 2 DVD and will require a region 2 (Europe) or region Free DVD Player in order to play. Charlie Bronson (Dax Shepard), a getaway driver with a questionable past, risks everything when he breaches his witness protection program to deliver his fiancé (Kristen Bell) to Los Angeles in order to seize a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As the couple race across country their road trip grows hilariously complicated as they find themselves in increasingly bizarre and awkward situations. With federal agents and Charlie's former pal, gangster Alex Dimistri (Bradley Cooper) hot on their trail the couple will have to put the pedal to the metal if they hope to make it to LA in time. Actors Bradley Cooper, Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard, Tom Arnold & Beau Bridges Director David Palmer & Dax Shepard Certificate 15 years and over Year 2012 Languages English Duration 1 hour and 40 minutes (approx) Region Region 2 - Will only play on European Region 2 or multi-region DVD players.
Dax Shepard writes, directs and stars in this fast-paced, low-budget car chase action comedy. After testifying against some bad people he was associated with in Los Angeles, former getaway driver Charlie Bronson (Shepard) is placed under the Witness Protection Plan to keep him safe. However, when his girlfriend, Annie (Kristen Bell) - who is unaware of his troubled past - is offered an interview for her dream job in LA, Charlie manfully puts his safety to one side and agrees to drive her there. Unfortunately, he hasn't allowed for the jealously of Annie's ex, Gil (Michael Rosenbaum), who discovers Charlie's former identity and passes the details to the relevant people. Soon Charlie and Annie find themselves involved in a high speed pursuit, with vengeful gangsters, federal agents and their loyal Witness Protection Agent, Randy (Tom Arnold), on their tail...
This site uses cookies.
More details in our privacy policy
