Switchback (1997)
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32% of critics liked it
(25 reviews) -
45% of users liked it
(7,205 ratings)
Scripter Jeb Stuart (Die Hard) made his directorial debut with this thriller about an FBI agent in pursuit of a serial killer. Politically ambitious Amarillo police chief Jack McGinnis (William Fichtner) uses a local murder to gain votes in his campaign, a setback for Sheriff Buck Olmstead (R. Lee… More Scripter Jeb Stuart (Die Hard) made his directorial debut with this thriller about an FBI agent in pursuit of a serial killer. Politically ambitious Amarillo police chief Jack McGinnis (William Fichtner) uses a local murder to gain votes in his campaign, a setback for Sheriff Buck Olmstead (R. Lee Ermey), up for re-election. The situation looks better for Olmstead after FBI agent Frank LaCrosse (Dennis Quaid) arrives to track the killer. LaCrosse has a personal agenda: he's convinced this killer is the man who kidnapped his son. Meanwhile, ex-medical student Lane Dixon (Jared Leto), hitchhiking across New Mexico, gets a lift from friendly Bob Goodall (Danny Glover), a former rail worker who later rescues Dixon from menacing miners in a bar. Red herrings throughout conceal the true identity of the killer. Some scenes were filmed at an altitude of 10,000 feet in Red Cliff, Colorado. Working titles include: Going West in America, Going West. Shown at the 1997 Denver Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
- Directed By
- Jeb Stuart
- Written By
- Jeb Stuart
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense
- In Theaters
- Oct 31, 1997 Wide
- Studio
- Paramount Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Mike Clark, USA Today
Quaid is a one-note sadsack here and no natural action hero.
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Lori Hoffman, Atlantic City Weekly
A superb, underrated drama
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Clint Morris, Moviehole
High-class thriller, with a superb turn by Quaid
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Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
A well-done suspense-thriller...Has modest aspirations, but meets them admirably.
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Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
The striking American West setting enlivens this efficient, rote thriller.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Dennis Quaid
as Frank LaCrosse
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Danny Glover
as Bob Goodall
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Jared Leto
as Lane Dixon
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R. Lee Ermey
as Sheriff Buck Olmstead
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Ted Levine
as Dep. Nate Booker
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William Fichtner
as Chief Jack McGinnis
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Leo Burmeister
as Shorty
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Merle Kennedy
as Betty
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Julio Oscar Mechoso
as Jorge Martinez
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Orville Stoeber
as Saldez
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Ted Markland
as Bartender
