Motorama is a 1991 road movie directed by Barry Shils. The film stars Jordan Christopher Michael, Martha Quinn, Michael J. Pollard, and Susan Tyrrell. The film had a limited release in the United States and was largely ignored by critics and audiences alike. However, in the years following its release, it has garnered a cult following.
The film opens with a ten-year-old boy (played by Michael) who decides to run away from home due to his abusive parents. He takes his piggy bank and steals a Mustang, setting off on a surreal journey across America. He is playing "Motorama," a game sponsored by Chimera Gas Company. In order to win the game, he must collect a series of game stamps from participating locations in different cities.
Throughout his journey, the boy has various encounters with different people, each with their own unique stories and quirks. He meets an old man (Michael J. Pollard), a trucker (Meat Loaf), a couple of drag queens, and a teenage hitchhiker (Drew Barrymore), among others.
As he collects the game stamps, the boy becomes increasingly obsessed with winning the game. He becomes more and more reckless, stealing gas and causing destruction along the way. He is pursued by a police officer (Garrett Morris) who becomes increasingly frustrated with the boy's antics.
Eventually, the boy reaches the Chimera Gas Company, where he discovers that they are not playing by the rules of the game. The company is using the game to cover up their illegal activities, and they have no intention of letting the boy win. The boy must use his wits and resourcefulness to outsmart the company and escape with his life.
Motorama is a dark and surreal film that explores themes of childhood innocence, the search for identity, and the corruption of power. It has a unique visual style, with vibrant colors and strange, dreamlike imagery, that sets it apart from other films of its time. While it may not be for everyone, those who appreciate offbeat and imaginative cinema are sure to find something to enjoy in Motorama.