"Trucker" a breakthrough for Monaghan (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Film buffs may haverecognized Michelle Monaghan's appeal in such movies as "KissKiss Bang Bang," "North Country" and "Gone Baby Gone."

But she hasn't had a chance to carry a movie until"Trucker," which had its world premiere at New York's recentTribeca Film Festival, and makes us realize what we've beenmissing.

Her performance elicits the same exhilarating sense ofdiscovery that surrounded Sally Field's breakthrough in "NormaRae." And there are some parallels between those twocharacters. Monaghan's Diane is a bruised, ballsy woman who'smade something of a mess of her life. She goes through atransformation during the course of the story and emerges asstrong rather than merely tough. Although the film doesn't havethe social import that made "Norma Rae" a hit, it's anaffecting, small-scale film that could catch on withsophisticated audiences as well as more down-home types.

Monaghan plays a trucker who kisses off a typical one-nightstand during the opening scene. She's a hard-drinking gal wholikes her independence, but when her ex-husband (BenjaminBratt) discovers he is terminally ill, Diane has to take chargeof the son (Jimmy Bennett) she hasn't seen in years. Althoughthere isn't much doubt where the story is heading, and while itcould definitely use a few more surprises, the performancescarry the movie. Writer-director James Mottern demonstratesboth rigor and tenderness in his feature debut.

Monaghan shows absolutely no vanity in exposing the hard,reckless side of the character, and Bennett matches her.Already a veteran of a dozen movies, the youth exudes anunaffected ease that other child actors might envy. Thestrongest scenes come in the unsentimental tug of war betweenmother and son. Nathan Fillion is enormously likable as Diane'sbest pal who might have the potential to be something more.Although Bratt's role is rather underdeveloped, he givesdimension to his few scenes. The atmosphere of roadsideAmericana is genuinely portrayed, as well. The story may not beearth-shaking, but Monaghan's star-making performance assuresthat it will be remembered.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter