Catching Out

Sarah George's documentary Catching Out presents three stories of modern-day train hoppers: a serene tramp couple who call themselves Switch and Baby Girl, a lyrical environmental anarchist-activist-zine publisher named Lee, and self-absorbed college dropout Jessica. All of the subjects talk about their rail odysseys, including the unique bonding that occurs among today's train-hoppers and the various perils that arise along the way. Less engaging are the interviewees' complaints about contemporary American consumer society: at one point, Jessica and two spacey friends babble endlessly in what looks like a narcotized fog about the evils of mass media, until someone suggests that maybe this segment shouldn't make the final cut. At 80 minutes, some other sections might have also benefited from judicious editing, including a rant by rail-rider-turned-lawyer/writer Duffy Littlejohn and a visit to a train hobo convention, which both feel tacked-on and out of place. Overall, however, Catching Out offers some wonderful (if clandestine) footage of the American landscape as seen from trains, and the film's subjects are, for the most part, both articulate and charming. Recommended, overall. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)