Bearing all the hallmarks of a small budget film (the patchy special effects really stand out), The Last Ride is clearly a labor of love for director Harry Thomason (co-creator of TV’s Designing Women). He’s obviously a big fan of Hank Williams, but strangely the film doesn’t provide us with much information about his life, and only hear snippets of his music on the radio. It’s an odd approach, given his status as one of the most influential country musicians of all time. In The Last Ride, Williams’ story is told by a young man who we are supposed to believe doesn’t listen to music, and has absolutely no idea who Hank Williams is.
Silas (Jesse James) is an unmotivated, shy grease monkey. He’s hired to chauffeur “Mr. Wells”—the star’s actual traveling pseudonym—to make sure Williams arrives at a series of gigs clean and sober. A thankless job, Silas spends the better part of the next three days unable to keep Hank Henry Thomas (E.T.) away from booze and brawls.
Since this trip is a complete fictionalization, it’s surprising that screenwriters Howie Klausner and Dub Cornett didn’t attempt to spice up the film’s brief off the road excursions. At a honky tonk, Hank talks up a couple of girls and dances with another man’s ex-wife (leading to the film’s only fight), while Silas has a sweet encounter with a female gas station attendant. The Last Ride centers on the relationship between Hank and Silas, and the bond the two men develop, given their hours alone together in the Cadillac. The drive is a test of sorts for Silas, as the once shy young man learns to stand up to the drunk in the back seat.
While Jim Roberson’s photography transforms Arkansas, where the movie was shot, into 1950s Appalachia, The Last Ride is likely best suited for Hank Williams fanatics. Henry Thomas doesn’t disappear into the character, but he does a solid job as Hank despite a thin script. Endorsed by the Williams estate, cover versions of Hank’s songs—several sung by his daughter Jett—help to remind us why Hank Williams remains such an important figure in American music.
Framed in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio, this 1080p presentation is pretty solid. Sharpness is good, and color saturation levels are adequate with flesh tones looking a bit pale. Black levels are fine, but won’t bowl you over. Contrast is a bit milky, which goes a long way in creating the early 1950’s timeframe.
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix does a great job with the country music that is a constant fixture in the soundtrack. Sound effects are split well on occasion, but for the most part, things emanate from the front channels. Dialogue sounds clean and clear throughout.
English SDH, Spanish, and French subtitles are included.
The following special features are available:
- A Look Inside The Last Ride (SD, 6:24) In this standard EPK, actors discuss the story and their experiences working on the film.
