Detour Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A down-on-his-luck pianist goes on a road trip, accidentally becomes a criminal, and gets bossed around by a terrifying woman with a cough.

🍿 Detour: Detailed Plot Synopsis

New York and the Decision to Hitchhike

Al Roberts, a nightclub pianist in New York City, is heartbroken when his girlfriend Sue decides to move to Los Angeles to pursue her singing career. Feeling lost and lonely, Al impulsively decides to follow her, despite having little money. He decides to hitchhike across the country, hoping to reunite with Sue and start a new life together.

A Fatal Ride in Arizona

Al gets a ride from Charles Haskell, a seemingly friendly bookie also heading to Los Angeles. During a rainy night, Haskell unexpectedly dies while Al is driving. Overwhelmed by fear and paranoia, Al panics, believing that he will be wrongly accused of murder. He makes the fateful decision to dispose of the body and assume Haskell’s identity, taking his car, money, and belongings.

Vera: The Blackmailing Hitchhiker

Al picks up a female hitchhiker named Vera at a gas station. To his dismay, Vera reveals that she recognizes him as not being Haskell because she also got a ride from him earlier. Vera proceeds to blackmail Al, trapping him in a web of deceit and danger. She forces Al to participate in her schemes, exploiting his fear of being caught and turning his life into a living hell.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Al Roberts (Tom Neal): A down-on-his-luck pianist whose life spirals out of control after a series of unfortunate events during a hitchhiking trip to Los Angeles.
• Vera (Ann Savage): A manipulative and ruthless femme fatale who blackmails Al after discovering his secret.
• Sue Harvey (Claudia Drake): Al’s girlfriend, who leaves New York to pursue her dreams in Hollywood, prompting Al’s ill-fated journey.
• Charles J. Haskell Jr. (Edmund MacDonald): A gambler who gives Al a ride and whose sudden death triggers Al’s descent into a nightmare.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Al Roberts: “That’s life. Whichever way you turn, fate sticks out a foot to trip you.” – Al says this reflecting on the series of unfortunate events that have befallen him.
• Al Roberts: “Money. You know what that is, the stuff you never have enough of.” – Al muses on the power of money and the trouble it causes as he contemplates his situation.
• Vera: “Where’d you dump his body?” – Vera confronts Al after recognizing him and realizing Haskell is dead.
• Al Roberts: “I wasn’t trying to frame anyone. I wasn’t trying to run away. I wasn’t trying to do anything. Fate, or some mysterious force, can put the finger on you or me for no good reason at all.” – Al explains his innocence.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30,000
• Domestic Gross: $16,172
• Worldwide Gross: $16,172

💥 Detour Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely blown away by *Detour*. It’s a masterclass in how to create tension and dread with very little. The characters are flawed and make terrible decisions, which makes them feel so real. Ann Savage’s performance is absolutely unforgettable. This is one of my new favorites!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic film noir”
  • “Viewers interested in low-budget filmmaking”
  • “Those who appreciate dark, fatalistic stories”
  • “People who enjoy movies with strong female characters (especially femme fatales)”
  • “Audiences who appreciate gritty and realistic portrayals of desperation”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mature themes (murder, blackmail)”
  • “Violence (implied strangulation)”
  • “Suggestive dialogue”
  • “Brief depictions of a dead body”
  • “Overall sense of paranoia and hopelessness”

Professional Reviews

• All Movie Guide: “Director Edgar G. Ulmer succeeds in creating a memorable, dark, nightmare world, uncaring, cynical and brutal. Made on a shoestring budget, the film’s atmosphere of dread and despair is palpable, and the performances are surprisingly effective. A must-see for film noir enthusiasts.
• Film Noir Foundation: “Detour isn’t just a triumph of low-budget filmmaking, it’s a harrowing descent into paranoia and bad luck. Ann Savage delivers a career-defining performance as Vera, a femme fatale who will haunt your dreams. The movie is a masterclass in building tension and atmosphere in a short runtime.
• Bright Lights Film Journal: “Detour is a classic in a class by itself – Detour is by no stretch of the imagination a conventional masterpiece. It shows evidence of starting out to be something – a longer, more fully developed movie – quite different from what it ended up .

Audience Reactions

Ann Savage’s portrayal of Vera is iconic and terrifying, cementing her place as a top-tier femme fatale.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s tight pacing, gritty atmosphere, and the performances of the lead actors.

The film’s ending, while abrupt, leaves a lasting impression and sparks debate about Al’s true guilt.: Its low-budget aesthetic adds to the movie’s charm and authenticity.

Overall Consensus: *Detour* is a highly regarded film noir known for its bleak atmosphere, compelling performances, and effective use of limited resources. The film’s themes of fate, guilt, and desperation resonate with audiences, making it a lasting classic.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Detour was filmed in just six days with a budget of approximately $30,000.”
• “Due to the low budget, many scenes were shot using rear projection, particularly the driving scenes.”
• “The film was shot at Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC), a studio known for low-budget films.”
• “Edgar G. Ulmer, the director, was known for his ability to make the most of limited resources.”

🖥️ How to Watch Detour?

Currently, ‘Detour’ can be streamed on platforms like the ‘Cinematheque – Classic Movies Channel’ and ‘Classic Cinema HD’ on YouTube, the latter offering a restored version. It is also available for rent or purchase via Amazon. Check your preferred streaming services for availability, as offerings may change.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Detour, you might like these similar films:

• D.O.A. (1949): Another film noir with a man caught in a web of circumstances beyond his control, racing against time.
• The Hitch-Hiker (1953): A film noir about two men terrorized by a hitchhiker, similar to Detour’s road trip gone wrong.
• Nightmare Alley (1947): Explores the dark side of ambition and the dangers of deceit, much like Al Roberts’s descent.
• The Driver (1978): A minimalist crime thriller with strong neo-noir elements, focusing on characters trapped by their choices.

🛒 Detour Related Products

• Film Noir: The Dark Side of Hollywood (Turner Classic Movies): Explore the themes, style, and history of film noir with this insightful exploration. Dive deep into the genre and its cultural impact.
• The Maltese Falcon (Blu-ray): A classic film noir that set the standard for the genre. Experience the timeless story of Sam Spade and the pursuit of the elusive Maltese Falcon.
• Film Noir Style Poster: Set of three 12×16 inches Vintage Movie Poster Prints. Classic Noir Films.
• Out of the Past (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: This film’s taut dialogue and convoluted plot, along with the great performances of Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer, make it a film noir must-have.

🎧 Soundtrack

Detour features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I Can’t Believe That You’re in Love with Me” – performed by Jimmy McHugh and Clarence Gaskill (Performed by Claudia Drake)
• “Chopin Improvisation” – performed by Tom Neal (Character Al Roberts)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Best Movie Ever Made | Citizen Kane

Ever wondered why some people call ‘Citizen Kane’ the best movie ever? This video breaks down its impact and compares it to other classics, giving you a fresh perspective on its place in film history. It’s super interesting, you gotta check it out!

What is Film Noir? | Film Historian Foster Hirsch

Thinking about diving into ‘Citizen Kane’ but not sure what film noir is all about? This video’s got you covered! A film historian explains the genre in a way that’s actually easy to understand—trust me, it’ll totally enhance your viewing experience.

✨ Rate