Priceless 2016

     James tragically loses his wife and he falls into depression.  He also lost custody of his daughter and James’ mother is caring for her.  He agrees to drive a small box truck across country.  He doesn’t care what he’s picking up, just that it’s not drugs.  He’s making this a quick run and he falls asleep at the wheel.  The truck runs off the road but there is just minor damage.  He hears crying when he goes to the back of the truck.  He uses a rock to remove the lock and he discovers two young sisters from Mexico are in the truck.  James knows he’s been conned into human trafficking.  He takes them to a rest stop to get cleaned up, buys them each dresses and they get burgers.  He asks them to ride in the cab with him.  They are being sent to New Mexico in payment for their father’s debt.

     Everything changes about this trip for James when finds Antonia and Maria.  He doesn’t know where they are going but he soon learns when the girls are picked up.  There is a large crime ring operating in this city and there are dirty cops in on the action.  James meets Dale and they start working together to get Antonia and Maria back.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

97 min, Crime directed by Ben Smallbone with Joel Smallbone, Bianca A. Santos, David Koechner, Jim Parrack, Amber Midthunder, Travis Hammer, Luce Rains, Sarah Minnich, Sierra Rose Smith, Ines France Ware, Cru Ennis, Jodi Lynn Thomas.

Note:  Imdb 6.0 out of 10, 78% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 1 ½*, Amazon 4.6* out of 5* with 315 reviews, www.pluggedin.com 4* out of 5*, Metacritic 41 out of 100 with 4 critics.

Special Note:  Filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Ben and Joel Smallbone are brothers and they are from Australia.  Ben has previously filmed documentaries, ads, music videos and shorts.  Another brother Luke and their father David are producers.  Joel Smallbone is the co-lead singer of the band For King & Country.  The song Priceless by King & Country was the inspiration for the Priceless movement including a book and this film.  This movie was filmed in 17 days.