DOUBLE NICKELS

Cinemavixion Review

Jack Vacek's "Double Nickels" offers a surprisingly layered narrative disguised as a straightforward crime comedy. Set against the sun-drenched backdrop of 1970s California, the film initially presents two highway patrolmen, portrayed with a charmingly understated camaraderie by Vacek himself and Trice Schubert, whose daily routines involve enforcing speed limits and enjoying roadside diner fare. However, their predictable lives take an unexpected turn when a chance encounter with a repo man, Edward Abrahms, plunges them into the clandestine world of car repossession. Vacek masterfully navigates the shift from lighthearted policing to the morally ambiguous territory of their new side hustle, expertly building suspense as the officers uncover a sinister car-theft ring. The film’s strength lies in its ability to blend genuine humor with a growing sense of unease, offering a commentary on opportunism and the consequences of crossing ethical lines, all while maintaining a distinctively gritty, period-appropriate atmosphere.