Pursuit is a dusty, messy road trip you probably won't remember

Is this thing worth your time?

If you like old-school black and white movies where people smoke constantly and talk fast, sure, Pursuit is fine for a Tuesday night. It’s got that breezy, B-movie energy that doesn't ask much of you. If you’re looking for high-stakes drama or something that’ll stick in your brain for more than an hour, keep walking.

The whole thing feels like a weird, jittery road trip. Mitch is the typical rough-around-the-edges pilot, and Maxine is... well, she’s there. They spend an awful lot of time arguing in cockpits and dusty cars. It’s not quite as sharp as It Pays to Advertise, which had a bit more snap to the dialogue, but it gets the job done.

Odd bits and pieces

• The kid is surprisingly not annoying. That’s a win in my book.
• The airplane scenes? They look like they were filmed in a garage with a fan blowing in someone's face. Totally charming.
• There’s a moment in a diner that lasts for three years, I swear.

I found myself staring at the background extras more than the main plot. There’s a guy in a fedora near the border crossing who clearly has no idea what he’s doing. He just walks back and forth, looking confused. It’s the best part of the scene.

Sometimes the movie tries to get serious about the guardianship battle, but then a plane engine sputters and we’re back to running away from people. It’s a bit of a tonal whiplash. It reminded me a little of the frantic energy in The Oakdale Affair, where things just sort of happen because the script needs them to.

Don't expect the world. It’s just a movie about a flight that shouldn't have happened. It’s got a few good lines, a lot of dirt roads, and a ending that feels like the writers just got tired and wanted to go home. Honestly, I kind of relate to that.

Would I watch it again? Probably not. Am I glad I saw it? Yeah, I guess. It’s not trying to change cinema history. It’s just trying to fill an hour and a half with people shouting over propeller noise. ✈️