The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

This film tells the story of a young woman who gets involved with drug trade in order to raise her two daughters.A good thing about "Free Ride" is that it stays true to the period of 70's, even the font is very 70's. Even though the film is fast paced, the plot is not so well developed. It's not so thrilling, and towards the end it's even confusing. After watching the whole film, and re-watching some critical parts of it, I still don't understand what exactly Christina got for the free ride. I don't understand why the girl going to the concert had to lie to MJ and goes berserk in the car. Maybe the story telling can improve a little, but I think the dirty length of the film is another merit.

I would say the viewer's opinion on this film could well rest on how much they accept the protagonist's rationalizations of her actions here. I'm sorry, but I couldn't buy into it.Based on a true story, set in 1977, Anna Paquin is certainly convincing as the sexy Christina, forced to flee an abusive relationship with her two daughters from Ohio to Florida. The promising young actress Liana Liberato (Trust) portrays Chrisitna's older daughter MJ, while Ava Acres plays Shell, the youngest.In Florida, they're taken in by Christina's friend Sandy (Drea de Matteo) (they were former go-go dancers together in Ohio), who eventually introduces Christina to the world of illegal marijuana trafficking off the coast of the state. Sandy's cohorts in the trade seem readily accepting of Christina and soon she's quite involved in the smuggling business.However, as she gets deeper and deeper into the trafficking her decisions regarding the care of her daughters become poorer and poorer. This will lead to dangerous, dramatic, and possibly tragic consequences down the road.At the very end of the movie, we learn that the film's writer and director Shana Betz, was actually the younger daughter Shell in the film. There's brief clips as well of the real "Christina" giving her reasons and rationalizations for her actions. Maybe I'm being the "moral police " here, but I just can't buy into involving your children in the drug trade and putting them at risk as well.All in all, I found the film presented a fairly absorbing presentation and there was a decent natural realism to it all, as well as some fine performances. The fact that I was quite bothered by the premise cut my rating down to average.

This must be the most boring drug trafficking movie ever made. True, it is supposed to be following real life, which often lacks drama, but it also follows the tired script of unfortunate single mothers making bad choices, told from the perspective of their amazing daughters, so it's not really educative either. It's unclear if the script is poorly researched and light on facts, or if these drug smugglers just lead empty lives, but the whole thing has a thin TV atmosphere. The most dramatic scene is when the little girl is attacked by ants (I won't spoil it for by revealing her fate). The film itself is made well enough, and Anna Paquin looks good lounging on a boat, but the only thing I cared about was getting to the end of this pretty homage to frivolous crime.

I thought it was a great movie, considering those who watch it will not know what scenes were cut out completely. The Sarasota, FL bar scene and all in it, cut out...Aay Mate...The Sarasota school scene, where are the girls? Cut out.. That is a disappointment for all that participated and waited 2 years to see. The movie needed to last 1/2 hr. longer. But all in all, it was a great production True Story. I like the mix you put in it. It was a pleasure and FL Boy enjoyed participation. Cast was wonderful. Wish I could have kept some photos........but rules are rules, right Mr. Moyer....Good job Annie and everyone else.FL MOM