In the latest, “Gasoline Rainbow,” from sibling directors Bill and Turner Ross, five Oregon teens fresh out of high school travel nearly 500 miles to reach the coast known as the “End of the World” party.
They’re like countless young heroes before them: on a path to find out. But while they share the same longings and concerns of American road travelers from “On the Road” to “Easy Rider,” the circumstances of their particular coming-of-ages are uniquely theirs — and that’s what’s on the radio dial. is also. A man from the back seat of his van says, “Man, I wanna listen to some Shakira, bro.”
These are the Ross brothers – creators of the Texas-Mexico border picture “Western” and “Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets,” in which they brought 22 people to a Las Vegas dive bar and told them to behave as if it was closing down . The next day – we are in a mixed film world, partly documentary, partly fictional. Our characters – Micah, Nathalie, Nicole, Tony, Makai – are non-professional actors and their journey is a loosely constructed series of encounters that mostly unfold naturally.
It’s a filmmaking approach that, in its weaker moments, can result in the worst of both worlds: the disorganized narrative of documentary and the constructed quality of fiction. But overall, the Ross brothers’ observational, insightful filmmaking hews somewhat close to the real thing.
In the case of “Gasoline Rainbow,” which opens in theaters Friday, much is expressed by the land the teens travel through. Whether by car or on foot, their journey takes them under highway overpasses, across vast train yards and past long rows of wind turbines. Global warming is mentioned only once, but it looms over their uncertain future. They make their way through barren, dry lands and industrial crisis. The name of that party is no coincidence.
Even if bleak, “Gasoline Rainbow” — which would fit comfortably alongside films like Alma Har’el’s “Bombay Beach” and Andrea Arnold’s “American Honey” — is most concerned with the question: So what now? For these young people who are unsure about what to do with their lives, hitting the streets provides a lot of answers. The world left to them by older generations may be damaged. “Do you know what is the difference between children and adults?” An elder tells them. “Adults are not supervised.” But if you’re willing to hit the road and make some new friends, beauty like the shimmering pools of gasoline can also be found.
The answer lies most deeply in community – in daring to leave home, meet strangers, and find like-minded souls. Perhaps more than anything, the Ross brothers – keen observers of American eccentrics – are interested in gathering together all the most interesting people they can find. And the resulting sense of camaraderie is as warming as the burning bonfire in “Gasoline Rainbow.”
Mubi’s release “Gasoline Rainbow” is not rated by the Motion Picture Association. Running time: 110 minutes. Three out of four stars.
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