Fast Company (1978)

88% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
30% of users liked it
(1,969 ratings)

Amidst such formative shockers as Shivers, Rabid and The Brood, writer/director David Cronenberg dashed off this semi-documentary. Fast Company relates the life story of race car champion Lonnie Johnson. The ubiquitous William Smith, veteran of many a low-budget cycle flick, is quite convincing as… More Amidst such formative shockers as Shivers, Rabid and The Brood, writer/director David Cronenberg dashed off this semi-documentary. Fast Company relates the life story of race car champion Lonnie Johnson. The ubiquitous William Smith, veteran of many a low-budget cycle flick, is quite convincing as Johnson. The film does not shirk in its depiction of the principal character's womanizing, which in itself is surprisingly endearing. Cronenberg also offers an indictment against corporate sponsors who tend to squeeze drivers like Johnson dry of all their salability. And, of course, we're offered plenty of breathtaking racing scenes, some of them real, others skillfully reenacted. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: David Cronenberg
Written By: David Cronenberg, Phil Savath, Courtney Smith
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Cult Movies

In Theaters: Aug 1, 1979 Wide
On DVD: Apr 27, 2004
Studio: Topar Films

Critic Reviews

Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Even in a yee-haw drive-in flick about manly men drivin' cars, Cronenberg manages to sneak in some body-consciousness.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
A sharp experiment in drive-in cinema
Felix Gonzalez Jr., DVD Review
For diehard Cronenberg fans without the DVD, this [Blu-ray disc] is an easy recommendation for both image quality and bonus content.
Felix Gonzalez Jr., DVD Review
There is nothing particularly memorable about Fast Company, even at the most superficial level.
Matt Noller, Slant Magazine
Fast Company may not be much more than a footnote in Cronenberg's career, but this disc is a must-own for followers of his work.
Matt Noller, Slant Magazine
Fans of well-crafted B movies, on the other hand, will be right at home.
Bill Gibron, PopMatters
Most of his movies center solidly on people, yet the players in Fast Company take second stage to the smell of grease and the roar of engines.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
An enjoyable pedestrian drive-in B-film about drag racing.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
A solid little "B" movie that crosses the finish line.
D.K. Holm, Movie Poop Shoot
Fast Company provides everything that a drive in movie about cars is expected to produce.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
isn't a film that stands by itself as well as appreciators of camp and low culture would have you believe,
Shane Burridge, rec.arts.movies.reviews
A most unusual entry in the oeuvre of horror director David Cronenberg

Read all 12 critic reviews

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Cast

William Smith
as Lonnie "Lucky Man" Johnson
John Saxon
as Phil Adamson
Claudia Jennings
as Sammy

Nicholas Campbell
as Billy "The Kid" Brocker
Don Francks
as Elder
Cedric Smith
as Gary "The Blacksmith" Black

See full cast