Watch Flashback
- R
- 1990
- 1 hr 47 min
-
6.2 (5,805)
Flashback is a 1990 comedy-drama movie directed by Franco Amurri and starring Dennis Hopper, Kiefer Sutherland, and Carol Kane. The plot revolves around John Buckner (played by Sutherland), a young FBI agent who is assigned to escort a right-wing radical named Huey Walker (played by Hopper) from Montana to Spokane, where he is supposed to stand trial for a decades-old crime. However, as they journey through the Northwest, Buckner realizes that Huey is not only fun-loving but that he also has a lot to teach him about the ways the country has changed since the 1960s.
The movie is set in 1989, during the final days of George H. W. Bush's presidency, and explores the generational gap between the baby boomers and the Gen Xers. John Buckner is a straight-laced, by-the-book FBI agent who is tasked with bringing Huey back to Spokane to testify in court. Huey, on the other hand, is a free-spirited, anti-establishment hippie who has been living off the grid for the past 20 years, ever since he faked his own death to escape prosecution for blowing up a government building in the 1960s.
As Buckner and Huey travel together, they encounter various obstacles, including corrupt cops, ruthless drug dealers, and an estranged daughter (played by Carol Kane) who Huey abandoned many years ago. Along the way, they also reminisce about the old days and engage in philosophical discussions about the state of the nation. Huey reminisces about the vibrant counterculture of the 1960s and how idealistic and hopeful everyone used to be, while Buckner tries to convince him that times have changed and that it's time to move on.
The chemistry between Hopper and Sutherland is excellent, and they play off each other's strengths brilliantly. Hopper is at his best as the charming, charismatic, and unpredictable Huey, while Sutherland is convincing as the earnest, no-nonsense Buckner. Carol Kane also delivers a strong performance as Huey's long-lost daughter, who is understandably resentful of her father and yet still drawn to him.
The movie features a lot of humor, but it also has a serious message about political activism, civil rights, and the role of the government in society. It's a movie that will make you laugh, think, and feel nostalgic for a time when anything was possible and when people believed that they could change the world. It's also a reminder that, no matter how much times change, some things, like the bond between father and daughter, remain constant.
The soundtrack, which features a mix of classic rock songs from the 1960s and 70s, is excellent and adds to the movie's overall tone of nostalgia and rebellion. The cinematography, which showcases the majestic beauty of the Pacific Northwest, is also top-notch, and the film's fast pace and witty dialogue keep you engaged from start to finish.
In summary, Flashback is a charming and thought-provoking movie that explores themes of social change, political activism, and generational differences with humor and heart. It's a movie that will make you laugh out loud, nod in agreement, and feel deeply moved by the end. If you're a fan of Dennis Hopper, Kiefer Sutherland, or 60s counterculture, this movie is definitely worth a watch.
Flashback is a 1990 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.