The Last Stop in Yuma County (2024)

The last stop in Yuma County2024.

Written and directed by Francis Galluppi.
With Jim Cummings, Jocelin Donahue, Richard Brake, Nicholas Logan, Faizon Love, Michael Abbott Jr., Gene Jones, Robin Bartlett, Sierra McCormick, Connor Paolo, Ryan Masson, Alex Essoe, Sam Huntington, Jon Proudstar, Barbara Crampton, Robert Broski and Matt McVay.

SYNOPSIS:

While stranded at a rural Arizona rest stop, a traveling salesman finds himself thrust into a terrible hostage situation by the arrival of two bank robbers who do not hesitate to use cruelty or cold, hard steel to protect their bloody fortune.

The rhubarb tart is to die for. Placed on a sign attached to the exterior wall of a restaurant in the middle of nowhere, writer/director Francis Galluppi and cinematographer Mac Fisken keep this image in the background of a scene as if it were an ominous warning, except that it’s not a pie that’s going to get people killed. However, chasing a slice of another type of pie is likely to prove dangerous in The last stop in Yuma Countya single-location potboiler set during an unspecified time period that resembles the 1970s, centering on a set of colorful characters stuck inside the aforementioned diner with a broken air conditioner, awaiting the arrival of ‘a truck driver to refuel at the adjacent gas station, who also happens to be the only one for a long time.

While none of these characters are particularly deep, the story makes the most of the tried-and-true messages about greed, as two bank robbers on the run also find themselves trapped in this restaurant. They are Travis (Nicholas Logan as the more awkward comic half of the duo, sporting a funny shirt that says “Bigfoot for President”) and Beau (a quietly terrifying Richard Brake who only raises his voice when this is necessary), taking control of the dinner by intimidation and force. Waitress Charlotte’s (Jocelin Donahue) mad rush to call her sheriff husband Charlie (Michael Abbott Jr.) for help is crushed, gas station owner Vernon (Faizon Love) has no idea this is happening and the restaurant itself is full of customers. (as an elderly couple played by Gene Jones and Robin Bartlett) enjoying coffee and meals while waiting to refuel their vehicle.

In the corner of the restaurant is a quiet, mild-mannered, nameless traveling knife salesman, played by the extremely talented and seemingly underrated Jim Cummings (look out for all of his directorial efforts, in which he also stars, if you haven’t yet and especially if you like what you see here.) Business doesn’t seem to be hot either, even though the reason he’s passing by this restaurant is simply because he’s on his way to visit his daughter. He mostly just fills in the blanks of a crossword puzzle in a newspaper, often remaining silent, as if patiently waiting for the right moment to act.

This traveling salesman is certainly the protagonist, even if The last stop in Yuma County greatly balances time between all characters, including those not in the restaurant; there are scenes at the police station providing insight into the marriage between the sheriff and the waitress. The fact is that when the violence escalates, it’s downright shocking to see how courageously Francis Galluppi disposes of key characters. Much of the film is also shot using tracking shots to demonstrate a sense of geography regarding the characters’ locations. Even simple details, like the tension building during sweltering heat, are smart, creative decisions that add to the atmosphere here.

Of the, The last stop in Yuma County moves on to an escape attempt with the money, and while I won’t reveal who that involves, it’s worth mentioning that it’s thrilling how Francis Galluppi never loses this claustrophobic suspense. The characters always converge on the path of violence in a way that appeals to everyone. Again, it would be difficult to find depth here, but that’s okay, considering the quality of this film. There’s a twisted joy in the take-no-prisoners way the film plays out, or in watching desperate souls dig their graves, killing each other for that money.

Evaluation of the flickering myth – Movie: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He is also the editor of Flickering Myth Reviews. Check here for new reviews, follow my Twitter or Letterboxd, or email me at [email protected]

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