Movie Breakdown: The Toll
Pre-Screening Stance:
I don’t know anything about anyone involved with The Toll, but it definitely has a creepy trailer. Also, when I first received a press release for the film, I hit google for more info and noticed that it was sitting at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. That has to be a good sign, right?
Post-Screening Ramble:
The Toll starts strong and then loses its way a bit. The film essentially features just two people – Cami (Jordan Hayes), who is traveling to see her father, and Spencer (Max Topplin), the ride share driver who scoops her from the airport. Right away, the former notices that the latter is somewhat of an odd, overly chatty dude, but she manages to keep her cool up until his car suddenly stops working on a long and lonesome road at three in the morning. This is when the Tollman comes-a-calling.
One of the things that I really liked right away about The Toll is the dialogue between Cami and Spencer. She’s rightfully bothered by the seemingly convenient mechanical issue that he’s having, and he actually responds to her in a reasonable way to help calm her nerves. Also, as things start to get weird and scary – and they definitely do – the pair discuss the events and act in a way that feels right, which draws you in and holds you to rooting for them. However, as the Tollman further lures the duo into his ploy and everything gets super heady, the film gets lodged in a place where its characters have to act completely different in order for the plot to keep ramping up. This doesn’t fully damn the movie, but it does make the final act drag because Cami and Spencer frustratingly go from very well aware, cunning problem solvers to people who act as though they’ve forgotten everything that’s transpired.
The Toll flashes more potential than it delivers on, but I do think it’s worth your time. The film will hit select theaters and VOD this Friday, March 26.
One Last Thought:
This movie did well to remind me about using Uber, Lyft and the like, which is something I haven’t really thought about at all since the lockdown started. Boy can I not wait to get back to anxiously wondering just what sort of ride I’m in for.
