Skateland

John Hughes meets The Last Picture Show in this Texas-based coming-of-age story set in the 1980s. Recent high school grad Ritchie Wheeler (Shiloh Fernandez) drifts along as manager of the local roller-skating emporium, spending his free hours partying with girlfriend Michelle (Ashley Greene) and her high-spirited older brother Brent (Heath Freeman), who's just returned from a stint on the motorcycle circuit. Richie's aimlessness disturbs his sister Mary (Haley Ramm), who wants Richie to go to college so badly she pens an application in his name. Adding to the drama, the siblings' parents are splitting up, and another wrinkle appears with a trio of town bullies whose leader targets Brent because they both have eyes for the same blonde. In the midst of all the summertime melodrama, the owner of the rink decides to sell the place, saying that its time has passed. The ambiance of the ‘80s is well captured in Skateland, which is buoyed by Fernandez's nicely shaded performance and by the period soundtrack. But Anthony Burns' direction is pedestrian (even in car chases), and the last act is entirely too pat, with every plot strand neatly tied up. While the debt to Hughes is acknowledged during the closing credits, Skateland is not in the same league as Hughes's best work, instead coasting along on such predictable beats that it seems prefabricated. Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes (34 min.) and trailers. Bottom line: a decent extras package for an uneven film.] (F. Swietek)