Unbelievable Journey of Kids in ‘Gasoline Rainbow’ Will Leave You Breathless!

Bill and Turner Ross, the New Orleans brothers known for their cinematic storytelling, have been crafting remarkable documentaries for over a decade. Their 2020 film, “Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets,” notably blurred the boundaries between reality and fiction. The film depicted a fictional situation in a real bar on its final night, focusing on a handpicked group of regulars as they bid farewell.

“Gasoline Rainbow,” their latest work, marks their first foray into official narrative filmmaking, drawing on their documentary experience and knack for capturing spontaneous elegance. In the midst of the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, the Ross brothers conceived an unrestrained road movie, roughly scripted and starring five inexperienced actors from Oregon. The story follows a group of friends from a small town named Wiley as they embark on a journey with nothing but a dream, camaraderie, a van, and the shared conviction that anywhere else would be better than their current locale.

Their dream is to reach the Oregon coast, a 513-mile drive from their inland hometown. The group consists of three boys—Makai Garza, Micah Bunch, and Tony Aburto—and two girls, Nathaly Garcia and Nichole Dukes. Their adventure begins with the van, but they soon realize it’s not essential. After a night of revelry in a cow field with a roadside stranger, they return to find their van vandalized and tireless. This incident propels their adventure into high gear, as they must depend on each other and the goodwill of strangers to reach the beach, their ultimate destination, and the enigmatic Party at the End of the World.

Although the Ross brothers orchestrated the events of the journey, the relationships are genuine, and the interactions and conversations are undeniably real. The film could potentially align with English documentarian John Grierson’s definition of nonfiction filmmaking as the “creative treatment of actuality,” given its authenticity.

However, it’s more accurate to view “Gasoline Rainbow” as the Ross brothers’ unique blend of their inspirations, such as “My Own Private Idaho,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Easy Rider,” and the 1984 documentary “Streetwise.” The film pulsates with a distinct, unscripted energy.

Each actor contributes a distinctive presence, but there’s no single standout, which appears to be by design. While “Gasoline Rainbow” embodies raw, youthful energy, it also portrays collectivism, nurturing, and the celebration of communal support.

The film’s birth during the isolation and limitations of 2020 feels significant. It embodies a longing for freedom and movement combined with a growing emphasis on mutual care—a sentiment amplified by the quarantine and the Black Lives Matter movement. The young characters in “Gasoline Rainbow” naturally embody this ethos, further reinforced by encounters with punk hitchhikers and middle-aged rockers who lend them support.

The themes of care and respect are why we never worry about their safety. They make collective decisions, look out for each other, and demonstrate their awareness by asking the strangers they meet, “Are you cool?” The focus of the movie isn’t the perils of a challenging journey. Instead, it allows us to focus on the life stories that unfold through bits of conversation and the interesting characters they meet.

There’s something touching about watching the fleeting phase of not quite being children yet not quite adults. The film captures their openness, trust, resilience, and blossoming relationships. It’s a celebration of that fleeting moment before the demands of jobs, bills, and responsibilities set in.

“Gasoline Rainbow” is visually stunning, with beautifully composed shots of the expansive Oregon landscape, breathtaking sunsets, golden fields, and the beach under different lighting. The urban grit of Portland offers a thrilling contrast to their quiet hometown, with its round-the-clock parties, skate parks, music festivals, and vibrant counterculture.

Although there’s no explicit cultural commentary, the film does touch on contemporary realities, with casual references to law enforcement, corporate logos, parents in rehab, and the challenges of being the only black kid in a small Oregon town. The film captures the essence of today’s youth, shaped by modern culture yet experiencing timeless rites of passage.

The narrative goal of reaching the Party at the End of the World underscores the ticking clock, creating a subtle existential tension that keeps the characters and the audience in the present, embracing the unexpected. The journey culminates in a cathartic emotional release which can only be experienced after a long trek. It’s a testament to the Ross brothers’ storytelling prowess that they can deliver this emotional payoff after an hour-and-48-minute cinematic journey. “Gasoline Rainbow” is a thrilling, nostalgic journey through youthful adventure that reassures us that the kids are alright.