OVERLAY REPORT

At the time of its release in **August 1996**, the most famous actor in *Freeway* was **Kiefer Sutherland**, closely followed by household name **Brooke Shields**. While Reese Witherspoon is the film’s protagonist and eventually became its biggest star, in 1996 she was still an up-and-coming actress. ### 1. Kiefer Sutherland (The Established Star) In 1996, Kiefer Sutherland was the film’s primary "A-list" draw. He had been a prominent leading man and a member of the "Brat Pack" for a decade, known for playing intense, often villainous or troubled characters. * **Status in 1996:** He was a major box-office name coming off a string of high-profile hits. In fact, 1996 was a massive year for him; just one month before *Freeway* hit theaters, he appeared in the blockbuster **"A Time to Kill"**. * **Other Notable Films (Pre-1996):** * **"Stand by Me" (1986):** His breakout role as the bully Ace Merrill. * **"The Lost Boys" (1987):** His iconic turn as the vampire leader David. * **"Young Guns" (1988):** A popular Western where he played "Doc" Scurlock. * **"Flatliners" (1990):** A sci-fi thriller where he starred alongside Julia Roberts. * **"A Few Good Men" (1992):** He played the disciplined Lt. Jonathan Kendrick in this Oscar-nominated legal drama. * **"The Three Musketeers" (1993):** He played Athos in the Disney big-budget adaptation. ### 2. Brooke Shields (The Household Name) Though she has a smaller role in the film as Mimi Wolverton (the wife of Sutherland's character), Brooke Shields was arguably the most recognizable person in the cast to the general public due to her status as a former child star and supermodel. * **Status in 1996:** She was in the midst of a significant career "re-branding" and was transitioning into comedic television with her hit sitcom *Suddenly Susan*, which premiered the same year as *Freeway*. * **Other Notable Films:** * **"Pretty Baby" (1978):** Her controversial breakout as a child. * **"The Blue Lagoon" (1980):** Her most famous and successful starring role. * **"Endless Love" (1981):** A massive romantic drama that solidified her as a 1980s icon. ### 3. Reese Witherspoon (The Breakout) While now the most famous of the group, Witherspoon was only 20 years old when *Freeway* was released. This film is widely considered her **"star-making" performance**, as critics were blown away by her gritty, foul-mouthed portrayal of Vanessa Lutz. * **Status in 1996:** She was known to critics and indie film fans, but not yet a global superstar. Earlier that year, she had gained attention for the thriller **"Fear" (1996)** opposite Mark Wahlberg, but it was *Freeway* that proved her range. * **Other Notable Films (Up to 1996):** * **"The Man in the Moon" (1991):** Her film debut as a young girl in the 1950s South. * **"Jack the Bear" (1993):** She played a supporting role alongside Danny DeVito. ### Summary of Other Notable Cast Members The film also featured several actors who were well-known or on the verge of fame: * **Amanda Plummer:** Famous for her role as "Honey Bunny" in **"Pulp Fiction"** (1994). * **Brittany Murphy:** She had just become a teen star the previous year in the cult classic **"Clueless"** (1995). * **Dan Hedaya:** A ubiquitous character actor known for **"The Addams Family"** (1991) and **"Clueless"** (1995).