Joy Ride

"Joy Ride" is one of those movies that shouldn't work — and for so many reasons — but somehow it still does.

For example, this tense little suspense thriller starts out in a realistic fashion and then becomes distorted to the point that it should be ridiculous. Yet it's so taut in its direction that you really don't notice the implausibilities and plot holes until the film's over. And by then, you probably won't care, especially since "Joy Ride" manages to do what nearly every other thriller released this year hasn't — make your heart race and keep it pounding constantly until the film is finally over.

Similarly refreshing is the fact the movie doesn't take itself seriously and throws in humor to keep the audience off-balance — which makes each jolt pack that much more of a wallop.

A lot of that humor can be attributed to co-star Steve Zahn, playing ne'er-do-well Fuller Thomas, who's just been released from jail (in Salt Lake City, one of a handful of Utah locations that can be seen in the film).

Fuller's younger brother, Lewis (Paul Walker), reluctantly agrees to pick him up, hoping to part ways before he gets to Colorado, which is where Lewis' so-far-unrequited love, Venna (Leelee Sobieski), is attending college.

However, Fuller tags along and buys a CB radio, which becomes their source of entertainment. He cajoles Lewis into pretending to be a woman and plays a prank on a lonely trucker (the voice of Matthew Kimbrough).

Unfortunately for them, this trucker — who goes by the handle "Rusty Nail" — is not amused, and he begins a game of cat-and-mouse that gets increasingly dangerous as the hours pass and the miles go by.

Again, given some of the plot's inconsistencies and silliness, this probably shouldn't work, but somehow it's got the right combination of ingredients, starting with a surprisingly clever script (by Clay Tarver and TV writer/producer J.J. Abrams).

And it helps to have the right director — in this case, John Dahl, who's better known for character-driven thrillers like 1993's "Red Rock West" and 1994's "The Last Seduction." In his hands, the action is breathlessly paced and contrasts well with the cheeky character interactions.

As far as the cast is concerned, this is surely Walker's best performance to date, and Sobieski is as good as usual. But both of their performances pale in comparison to Zahn, whose character could have easily become an irritant but instead becomes the one we probably care the most about. (And let's not forget Kimbrough, whose gravelly baritone lends the right air of menace and malice to the unseen villain.)

"Joy Ride" is rated R for occasional use of strong profanity, violence (scenes of terror, gunplay and an impaling), brief male nudity, gore, some crude humor, brief sex (overheard) and brief use of racial epithets. Running time: 95 minutes.

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E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com