HERE’S THE KICKER – SLIFF Review

“On the Road Again” is the rallying song of many a movie comedy, including the romantic comedy ( or rom-com ). From IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT to THE LONG, LONG, TRAILER, to FLIRTING WITH DISASTER many obstacles are thrown at the young lovers along their journey. Such is the case with the new film HERE’S THE KICKER. The two main travelers are trying to head along the highway into a bright new future together while trying to navigate through old friends, family, and nostalgia for the glories of the past.

Simon is a former ace college field-goal kicker, now struggling in the catering biz. His gal Brittany is using her make-up skills working on porno shoots. They dream of a better life and soon hit upon a game plan. They’ll head back to her hometown of Victory, TX ( Hmm, sports metaphor? ), not far from his home town, and open up a combination beauty parlour / sports bar ( or as they call it, a salon / saloon ). Breaking up the long drive, they make an overnight stop at his old team-mate Teddy’s place in Utah. Seeing his old pal turns Teddy into his old party animal self and soon he ditches the wife and daughter ( his ” Baby Ruth ” ) to join the couple on their trip to Texas. Another overnight stop at Simons parents’ house is also chaotic. Mom’s a clueless, compulsive cleaner, Dad’s a former high school football coach turned town booze-hound, and Simon’s wild child teenage sister ( who’s under house arrest ) sets her sights on Teddy. Simon decides to drop off his unwilling Pop at a Dallas rehab center along the way. But this just postpones the news that he’s not shared with Britanny since soon after they hit the road : He’s been offered a job as a football scout for So Cal. When will he find the right time to tell her? And how will she react?

The film makers make great use of the real locations and desert highway scenery in this small budgeted character comedy. Some of the home and auto interiors tight spaces give an added claustrophobia to the rattled hero’s aggravations. The  cast of mostly unknowns give energetic performances as does the veteran name actor Dan Lauria ( TV’s ” The Wonder Years ” ). We’re really rooting for these two all along the trip even as we become frustrated with Simon ( Tell her about the job offer already, you doofus! ). HERE’S THE KICKER is an enjoyable little romp that helps to remind us to forge ahead and not become mired in the quest to relive those youthful glory days.

                                                           Showtime

                7:15 PM on Friday, November 18 at the Tivoli Theatre