Trucker 2008

Michael Phillips, At the Movies: Most of Trucker comes off like a sincere but totally artificial slice of life. Read more

Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out: As the camera perches high on a hill at dawn, Diane's truck sneaking out of town, you sense the Demme-esque working-class comedy that might have been. Read more

Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: There are so many wonderfully unconventional things to like about this tiny independent film, Monaghan's earthy and uncompromising performance chief among them, its depth surprising you at every turn. Read more

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: Monaghan, so good in Gone Baby Gone, mopes self-consciously through the role of Diane, a loner who finds her heart when she's thrown together with her estranged 11-year-old son (Jimmy Bennett), whom she takes on the road. Yes, it's one of those movies. Read more

Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald: Monaghan demonstrates an untapped level of talent and skill in Trucker, tackling the difficult role of a woman who refuses to behave as societal norms dictate and has paid the price with loneliness and alienation. Read more

Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger: Even if the film dutifully hits all the old notes, its characters are interesting, its California desert setting is novel, and its cast works hard. And not only is its star trying something new -- she's getting it wonderfully right. Read more

Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: Monaghan gets how people with honky-tonk souls move in mysterious ways. Read more

Kyle Smith, New York Post: Monaghan does a reasonably good job with a formulaic script that calls for her to become prettier and more feminine as she learns to be a mama bear to her smart-mouthed but ultimately adorable kid. Read more

Rex Reed, New York Observer: Thanks to sensitive direction and a natural, exemplary script, both of which by the talented and never syrupy James Mottern, Trucker holds its emotions firmly in check throughout. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: I concede the story arc is fairly predictable, assuming neither one murders the other. But Mottern and his actors take no hostages. Read more

John Anderson, Variety: What's missing from the payload is surprise. Read more

Aaron Hillis, Village Voice: There may as well be a road sign announcing Diane's transformation from reckless loner to diligent mother, but it's a smooth ride thanks to Monaghan, and an impressive ensemble. Read more