‘The Neon Highway’ Review – The Art In Our Soul That Never Goes Away

Some films warm the heart, breathe fresh air into aching souls, and plant hope whenever possible. The Neon Highway directed by William Wages is one of those films. An endearing story of finding hope in the darkest moments, the power of art, and the beauty of an old-fashioned road trip if it takes the road to Musicville.

This film tells the story of Wayne Collins, a man who once had a shot at fame and music superstardom only for tragedy to strike and all his dreams to crumble. He resorts to a normal, apple-pie life with his wife and kids, but that thing inside him doesn’t want him to rest. It’s the music demon that eats up at his insides, not giving him a moment’s rest, even though he is not compelled to give in completely to it.

Featuring a powerful, award-worthy performance from Beau Bridges, The Neon Highway is a slow burn that unfolds beautifully in front of the audience, leaving them touched and enchanted. It may not be a big spectacle of events and camerawork, but those looking for a great watch to warm their nights and reaffirm their faith in humanity are about to get that with this film.

Bridges carries the film on his shoulders, delivering a performance that brings to mind Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart and Bradley Cooper in A Star is Born. It’s gritty without getting too shabby, funny without resorting to a farce, and touching and heartbreaking in certain parts but doesn’t throw a cloud over the caressing mood of the film.

“If it’s in your soul, it never goes away,”

Claude Allen, the washed-out, past glam country singer tells Wayne –the star who could have been- to play the guitar and sing. And sing he does. The quote hits the mark and adds to the key message of the film. Some things don’t let go of people, and music hasn’t let go of Wayne no matter how much he tries to evade. The film sends a clear message on how deluded artists sometimes can be, fooling themselves into thinking art is the hindrance standing in the way of their prosperity when in reality, art is their only route to freedom and safety. Unlike more redemption-driven films, this feature takes one step further by making Wayne’s song the hero of the story rather than two men yakking on the road and in recording studios taking center stage and ruining the plot arc.

When Wayne decides to use his song to make money, the music world directs attention back to him. But without Claude, none of that would have been possible. The old musician’s guidance and chill, artistic spirit have made the ordeal all the more intimate and adventurous. We embark on this journey with Wayne and Claude, and the script adeptly structures the differences between their characters and how through their love of art they only find a sense of belonging and purpose. 

A highlight of this journey is how conversations flow smoothly between the characters, without a need to overshare or reveal too much. Sometimes in similar, smaller-scale movies, flaws like too much exposition or unrealistic shifts can take away from the film’s meat, but here, the screenwriter avoids these pitfalls by having something to say even through the dullest, most mundane moments.

The Neon Highway is a great film to watch with parents, it is warm, funny, relatable, soothing, and emotional without getting too sappy.

The Neon Highway is currently playing in select theaters courtesy of Moutain Movies. 

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5yYS6yf5GE]