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Thunder Road is a heartfelt, unflinching portrayal of grief and redemption that follows a police officer, Jim Arnaud (played by Jim Cummings) struggling to regain control of his life after the loss of his mother. The movie is directed, written, produced and starred in by Cummings, a first-time filmmaker, who delivers a standout performance as the leading man.

The film begins with Jim delivering a eulogy for his mother at her funeral, but he is ill-prepared and overwhelmed with emotions leading to an awkward and slightly unsettling scene. From there, the movie transitions into a character study that explores the depths of Jim's despair as he spirals out of control.

Jim's life is in shambles, and he struggles to connect with his emotionally distant daughter (played by Kendal Farr) and reconcile with his estranged wife. His erratic behavior causes him to lose his job as his alcoholism and depression continue to spiral. As he faces mounting legal troubles and the possibility of losing custody of his daughter, Jim rages against the injustice of his circumstances, but it isn't until he experiences a profound moment of catharsis that he is able to finally start the long road to recovery.

Cummings' portrayal of Jim is both nuanced and raw, and his direction of the film shows a deep understanding of his character's struggles. The movie's pacing is deliberate, with long takes and scenes that linger on moments of awkwardness or discomfort, but it ultimately leads to a rewarding payoff that delivers a strong emotional punch.

While the movie is labeled as a drama, it also has moments of dark humor that balance the heaviness of the plot. Cummings' comedic timing is impeccable, and he delivers lines with dry wit that provide levity in otherwise somber scenes. He also infuses the film with a sense of nostalgia, with a soundtrack that harkens back to the classic rock of the 1970s, adding to the overall feel of the movie.

Kendal Farr and Nican Robinson both deliver standout performances as Jim's daughter, Crystal, and his partner, Officer Nate Lewis, respectively. Farr brings a grounded, mature performance to her role, serving as a voice of reason when Jim is at his most erratic. Meanwhile, Robinson's performance serves as an anchor for Jim, providing a much-needed sense of stability in his life.

While the movie deals with heavy themes, it ultimately leaves the audience with a message of hope, showing the power of love and redemption. It is a character study that delves deep into the human psyche, showing the highs and lows of life, and the power of perseverance.

In conclusion, Thunder Road is a masterful film that showcases the talents of Jim Cummings as both a director and an actor. It is a poignant exploration of grief, redemption, and the human condition, and is sure to resonate with audiences long after the credits roll.

Thunder Road is a 2018 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 79.