Review: Beau Bridges and Rob Mayes star in ‘The Neon Highway’

Beau Bridges in ‘The Neon Highway.’ Photo Courtesy of Mountain Movies.

Actors Beau Bridges and Rob Mayes star in “The Neon Highway,” which was released today via Mountain Movies.

The movie was directed by William Wages and co-written with Phillip Rob Bellury.

The synopsis is: When singer-songwriter Wayne (Rob Mayes) meets washed-up country music legend Claude (Beau Bridges), the two head back to Nashville for a second chance.

The supporting cast includes Sam Hennings, TJ Power, country stars Lee Brice and Pam Tillis (who is as stunning as ever), as well as Jennifer Bowles, Sandra Lee-Oian Thomas, Wilbur T. Fitzgerald, Brett Gentile, and Ezekiel Bridge.

Beau Bridges delivers a controlled and commanding performance as Claude, and he is a force of nature. Rob Mayes is incandescent as Wayne in one of his greatest acting performances along with “Sweet on You.”

Both leads have solid chemistry together, they layer their emotions well, and they make it work. The pacing is appropriate in a screenplay that is rich in character development.

This film has elements of Jeff Bridges’ “Crazy Heart” meets Sissy Spacek’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter” with the atmospherics of Mickey Rourke’s “The Wrestler.”

In addition, the song “Neon Highway” by Lee Brice fits this movie perfectly as it captures its essence. This tune penned by Dallas Davidson is “The Weary Kind” (Ryan Bingham) equivalent to this film.

The Verdict

Overall, “The Neon Highway” is witty, gritty, and a great deal of fun. William Wages is able to take his viewers on a sentimental journey through music. “The Neon Highway” garners four out of five stars. Well done.