Hellcab

Product Description

It's the darkest day of the year - winter solstice - 6:00 a.m. andi20 degrees below zero when an unsuspecting cab driver picks up his first fare. Unaware of what's to take place, the cabby drops the strange passengers, setting into motion an unstoppable, unalterable, unfathomable series of events. It's as if the cab mysteriously draws the most bizarre and dysfunctional people in the city. Exhausted and afraid, the driver summons all his courage to make it through his shift, but will he survive what's become the longest night of his life?

System Requirements:

Running Time 96 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

Hellcab Review.......2007-07-26

This movie is worth watching. It gives you a glimpse into true humanity through a day in the life of a Chicago cab driver.

Excellent Play, Very Good Film.......2006-08-20

Will Kern's "Hellcab" is an excellent play by a talented writer, and like many stage productions, a risky transfer for the big screen, but the list of executive producers alone would indicate that several money-players in Hollywood felt the story was worth the effort. Is the movie up to the standards of the play? Probably not, but it is still a damn good film and perfect for those cerebral evenings where action and physical comedy take a backseat to highly literate cinematic entertainment.

A Slice Of The Real Life.......2005-07-28

Not to disagree with others on this terrific film, I believe that the producers and directors of this fine art film got it just right. To those people who take cabbies for granted and beleive that their lives are just boring non-descriptive airheads aimlessly driving through the streets of doom, simply waiting for that maniac to get into their cab and shoot, cut or mame them for life, this is a true to life glimpse of the way things really are for the drivers. Their real thoughts, dangers and anxieties are right on. Take it from someone who really knows about what it is like to drive a hack for a living and although this film is a little dark, that is how life is for cabbies. A little dark. Like my other favorite cabbie film, 'Driven', not to be confused with the Stallone movie, this movie shows the frustration of people dumping their problems on the driver as well as prying into his business and the constant fruitless efforts to help or 'not to help' some of the passengers, not to mention the true and real dangers. I found this movie to be as close to a day in a cabbies life as you can get with maybe the exception of even more drama. There is only so much that you can capture in a couple of hours. For anyone who ever thought about driving a cab or what it must be like, this is a drivers guide. Not pretty, but truthful. Paul Dillon as the main cast 'driver' has cleverly captured the demeanor, frustration, fear and comedy of a day in a cabbies life. Smart casting of smaller parts and cameo's by Michael Ironside, Laurie Metcalf, John C. Reilly, Gillian Anderson, John Cusack and Jullian Moore add to the experience. Although this movie was originally made a few years back and under another name 'Chicago Cab' I was pleased to find that the producers went back to the original title. John Cusack also, an executive producer of this movie plays a perfect villan near the end of the film. Well worth the fare!

Great film - moronic title.......2005-05-24

We agree with Ian. This was a great movie with some very intense moments. We thought it was a shame that thy gave it this idiotic name. It propbably would have had a wider audience.

Misleading cover art for a depressing "slice of life".......2005-05-21

Don't be misled by the title, cover art, or log line: "Dare You Pay The Fare?" HELLCAB is not a horror film.

HELLCAB is a boring art film (and normally, I love indie/art films). It's about the depressing day in the life of a Chicago cabby. Each passenger gets one or two minutes of screen time, including "star" Gillian Anderson, who struggles with an Italian blue-collar accent.

Film is a series of vingettes; nothing is ever resolved. We see the passenger, their situation set up, then go on to the next passenger. I kept waiting for a story to gel, but there is no story. And no point other than: see how depressing this guy's life is? Yes, it is. This is not a pleasant or fun film to watch. Nor is it engaging or involving. We feel sorry of the cabbie, but don't particularly like (or dislike) him.

HELLCAB has a few strong moments (the rape victim, the architect, the sleazeball played by the always talented John C. Reilly) but not enough to make this cab ride worth it.

According to the credits, HELLCAB was based on a play. I suppose they put some chairs on stage with the actor in the driver's seat, and other actors coming in and out.

A much better film about cabbies is DRIVEN (not to be confused with the Sly Stallone film of the same name). DRIVEN has its depressing moments, but it has fully fleshed, memorable characters, with interesting story arcs.

Curiously, both HELLCAB and DRIVEN occur around Christmas time, and use that to contrast the cabbies' depressed lives with the joyous yuletide lights.

Average customer rating:

preserves a legendary Chicago project
AKA Chicago Cab
Eccentric, though sensational...
I'm repulsed, but I can't look away
This is my all time, hands down, favorite movie

Hellcab
Starring: Paul Dillon , Tim Gamble , John Cusack , Olivia Trevino , and Julianne Moore
Director: Mary Cybulski , and John Tintori
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000065KO3

Customer Reviews:

preserves a legendary Chicago project.......2007-09-14

HELLCAB ran for three minutes short of forever as a late-night play in Chicago. It featured Chicago rock'n'roll acting at its best: simple set, talented ensemble playing multiple parts, juxtaposition of drama and comedy, respect for a working person's perspective. The film retains much of this. Yes, instead of a handful of actors constantly slipping into different skins you have a larger cast playing a series of cameos -- but these are almost all acting gems. The cab driver becomes a representative of us in the audience: trying to make our way through a complex world without being swallowed up by it, trying to salvage moments of honor and grace in an environment oblivious to both. Would make -- yes -- a terrific companion piece to TAXI DRIVER.

AKA Chicago Cab.......2004-01-07

Hellcab is an independent film based upon the play by the same name. Unfortunately, Vidmark must have thought the title meant it was a horror film and packaged it as such. It is not horror.

The story, what little there actually is, follows a hardworking and honest cabdriver during the Winter Solstice, the day with the longest night. A newspaper blurb points out that many cultures had believed the world would be swallowed by the cold and the dark.

The driver starts his day early by taking a family to church (on Thursday). After they try to convert him, his day progresses through high and lows and gives glimpses into the lives of dozens of colorful characters. From a pregnant woman, to a drunk lady who says she loves him; from druggies to lawyers; from jerks to generally nice people. We see all kinds climb into this cab.

But all is not rosy on this darkest of days. Many issues are looked at, especially racism. At one point the driver becomes scared of the South Side and heads North only to pick up a white guy who is his scariest customer of the day. But in the end, when he at what might be his lowest, the driver takes a fare from a man who offers him some sound advice.

Paul Dillon shines as the cabdriver. His excellent performance is backed up by such talents as Gillian Anderson, John Cusack, Michael Ironsides, Laurie Metcalf and Julianne Moore. While sometimes disturbing and sometimes touching, this is not a film you will forget.

Eccentric, though sensational..........2001-04-25

I would have to admit that upon watching the first half hour of the film, I did wonder 'where is this going'? But beneath the eccentric characters, was a hidden message about anger, and the power to forgive yourself and others. The story is focused on a Chicago Cabbie, who is having what could arguably be called the worst day of his career. His fare is just seemingly crowded with loonie after loonie- including false exhibitionists, teenagers with pain- in- the- behind boyfriends, a

couple having a *very* personal argument, and just plain wierdos. The cabbie's day get's progressively worse, if that's even possible. Door handles fly off and huge headaches are on the agenda. But toward the very end, there's a very important fare which could possibly change the cabbie's entire point of view on Christmas and the value of love and belief. I know this may sound slightly strange and corny all at the same time, but the film really is quite interesting, even if

there are moments when one might turn away from the camera in embarassment. The all star cast includes Gillian Anderson ('The mighty', 'Playing by Heart', and 'House of Mirth'), Julianne Moore ('Hannibal,' 'Cookie's Fortune') and John Cusak ('High Fidelity', 'Being John Malkovic'). The characters are all played with a perfect mixture of bitter and sweet, and the idea is surely fresh and origional. If you're willing to watch strange plots, 'Hellcab' is for you.

I'm repulsed, but I can't look away.......2000-11-03

If you pick up this film expecting a horror movie, you will be disappointed. What you will get is an artsy cameo filled flick. HellCab follows a Chicago cab driver as he makes his rounds, picking up junkies, freaks and rape victims. You should know that you can pick up a helluva alot of fares in an hour and a half film. Most of the actors are on screen no more than 5 minutes and often less. So, if you see Gillian Anderson or John Cusack on the cover and that's your reason for choosing this film, you will (again) be sadly disappointed. At first I felt like there is no way that I will be able to stay awake long enough to see the credits roll. But honestly, I just had to see who climbed into the cab next. Also, I felt like all of this must tie in together somehow. Well, it doesn't. There is no resolution to any of the scenerios that are set up. Worth 2 stars for the fact that I didn't just turn it off. If you like Taxi Cab confessions, you may get some enjoyment out of this, but its different since you don't truly feel like a voyeur.

This is my all time, hands down, favorite movie.......2000-08-24

I just saw this movie tonight ... . This movie follows the dayof a Chicago cab driver, his passengers, and the brief glimpses of their lives, that make up his. There is no way that I can give you a synopsis of this movie without robbing it of it's genius. Just trust me. If you don't see this movie, you're seriously missing out.

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