Cheap Hell Cab (Video) (Mary Cybulski, John Tintori) Price

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Customer Reviews of Hell Cab

I'm repulsed, but I can't look away
If you pick up this film expecting a horror movie, you will be disappointed. What you will get is an artsy cameo filled flick. HellCab follows a Chicago cab driver as he makes his rounds, picking up junkies, freaks and rape victims. You should know that you can pick up a helluva alot of fares in an hour and a half film. Most of the actors are on screen no more than 5 minutes and often less. So, if you see Gillian Anderson or John Cusack on the cover and that's your reason for choosing this film, you will (again) be sadly disappointed. At first I felt like there is no way that I will be able to stay awake long enough to see the credits roll. But honestly, I just had to see who climbed into the cab next. Also, I felt like all of this must tie in together somehow. Well, it doesn't. There is no resolution to any of the scenerios that are set up. Worth 2 stars for the fact that I didn't just turn it off. If you like Taxi Cab confessions, you may get some enjoyment out of this, but its different since you don't truly feel like a voyeur.

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Wonderful, albeit completely mismarketed
...Also known as "Chicago Cab," and based on the play of that name, Hellcab is one of those flicks that follows around a cab driver (Paul Dillon, a fantastic actor who looks like Flea, sounds like Flea two octaves lower, is as well-cast as Flea in the highly-underrated _Dudes_... well, you get the idea) as he picks up fares and wanders in and out of the lives of the passengers. Tight, funny, high-pitched. Small parts from Gillian Anderson, John Cusack (also one of the film's producers), and best actress 2000 nominee Julianne Moore in the kind of scene that makes us realize why she could be nominated for best actress. I mean, she's GOOD. My video store has this under horror, no matter how much I try to get them to change it. It ain't. Comedy/drama, and excellent comedy/drama at that.

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AKA Chicago Cab
Hellcab is an independent film based upon the play by the same name. Unfortunately, Vidmark must have thought the title meant it was a horror film and packaged it as such. It is not horror.

The story, what little there actually is, follows a hardworking and honest cabdriver during the Winter Solstice, the day with the longest night. A newspaper blurb points out that many cultures had believed the world would be swallowed by the cold and the dark.

The driver starts his day early by taking a family to church (on Thursday). After they try to convert him, his day progresses through high and lows and gives glimpses into the lives of dozens of colorful characters. From a pregnant woman, to a drunk lady who says she loves him; from druggies to lawyers; from jerks to generally nice people. We see all kinds climb into this cab.

But all is not rosy on this darkest of days. Many issues are looked at, especially racism. At one point the driver becomes scared of the South Side and heads North only to pick up a white guy who is his scariest customer of the day. But in the end, when he at what might be his lowest, the driver takes a fare from a man who offers him some sound advice.

Paul Dillon shines as the cabdriver. His excellent performance is backed up by such talents as Gillian Anderson, John Cusack, Michael Ironsides, Laurie Metcalf and Julianne Moore. While sometimes disturbing and sometimes touching, this is not a film you will forget.