The Last Stop in Yuma County is a lot of things, but ultimately it all boils down to a diner full of guns. The film feels like a Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez hybrid. Set in the 70’s, a time before laptops and cell phones, this one entertains for all the right reasons.
The story
A knife salesman, a waitress and two bank robbers *Sounds like the prelude to a dirty joke, doesn’t it?*end up waiting in a diner for a gas truck. Soon the diner attracts more people waiting for gas.
Things turn sour very quickly.
Cast and Crew
Writer and director Francis Galluppi took the helm on this one as both. His first feature length film works well. He also edited the film. Mac Fisken took care of the cinematography and Matthew Compton gave us a brilliant score for the movie.
Jim Cummings is the unlucky knife salesman. Cummings makes the most of his character. He changes through the course of the film.
Jocelin Donahue is Charlotte the waitress, the only employee in the diner. She is married to the county sheriff played by Michael Abbott Jr. and he drops her off to work.
Gene Jones is Robert who comes in with his wife Earline played by Robin Bartlett.
Richard Brake and Nicholas Logan are the two bank robbers who are waiting in the diner for the Gas man. *This must be Logan’s year, he is in at least 7 productions in 2023 and 2024 looks to be just as fully booked. Well done,*
Scream Queen Barbara Crampton is in a “blink and you will miss her” cameo as the sheriff’s receptionist.
The location
If you think the diner and the gas station look familiar, you are right. Both these places have been the setting for a plethora of films. Reeker, House of a 1000 Corpses, Identity and so on. The Four Aces Movie Ranch hosts a number of productions and it is roughly one hour away from Tinsel Town.
Musings
Everyone here convinces. Brake is suitably nasty as the leader of the two bad men. Logan is spot on as his dimwitted accomplice. Ryan Masson and Sierra McCormick are creepily perfect as the Charlie Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate wanna bes.
Connor Paolo is almost endearing as the Deputy Sheriff who looks like he is wearing his big brother’s uniform. Faizon Love as Vernon the Gas Station guy, does not appear to be acting at all; his performance is that natural.
Kudos to Jon Proudstar is Pete. The only person not wanting gas, he gets the pie and is instrumental in starting the ball rolling in the diner. He rocks it . #nosmallparts
Everybody got guns
All the folks waiting in the diner have guns, save for the knife salesman. You know that there will shots fired sooner or later. The shootout in the place takes place not long after the robbers moan, “Does everybody got guns?”
The short gun battle in the diner pays is worth the price of admission. The choreography was darn near perfect.
The Verdict
This one gets a full 5 stars. The Last Stop in Yuma County has an excellent cast and a compelling story. Everyone from the stunt coordinator to the last couple to appear at the diner, bring this one to life.
It feels familiar, a feeling caused no doubt by the location, but this does not hurt the film at all. The movie is available on Amazon Prime.
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