Speedway Junky

REVIEW
The story of a naïve youth who ventures to the big city and discovers a newfound maturity, though usually at a cost, has long been a favorite of novelists and filmmakers. Few, however, will resort to so many clichés, acts of coincidence and melodramatic devices as writer-director Perry and company do with Speedway Junky. Bradford stars as Johnny, a 19-year-old runaway who arrives penniless in Las Vegas and is immediately befriended by a group of polysexual street kids/prostitutes. This includes Eric, a gay orphan who falls for Johnny, and Steven (Thomas), a cocky cynic who tries to get Johnny involved in the business. Perry gives this hard-edged film a slick look that would befit a story about life on the streets, but any visual accomplishment is severly undermined by a screenplay lacking in depth or believability. Bradford goes overboard in playing Johnny's wide-eyed wonderment, while Thomas tries to smash his TV "Home Improvement" wholesome image, which he does in spite of a rather one-dimensional portrait.