C.M. Talkington

Cruise Control is a 1992 English language short film directed by Matt Palmieri, starring Ed Begley Jr., Sean Penn and Max Perlich. The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film.

Frustrated by her bland suburban existence, sixteen year old Sadie doesn't hesitate to join a charismatic stranger on a joyride into the unknown. His dark world of jealousy, games and crime-in-the-name-of-art forces her to confront her own youthful desires.

Small-time criminal Watty Watts attempts to rob a convenience store with his drug-addict buddy, Billy Mack Black. The robbery, however, leads to murder, and soon Watty leaves Billy behind and goes on the run with his beloved girlfriend, Starlene. Heading toward Mexico, the fugitive couple gets plenty of media coverage, until there are even more people on their trail. Can Watty and Starlene make it south of the border without getting caught?

Small-time criminal Watty Watts attempts to rob a convenience store with his drug-addict buddy, Billy Mack Black. The robbery, however, leads to murder, and soon Watty leaves Billy behind and goes on the run with his beloved girlfriend, Starlene. Heading toward Mexico, the fugitive couple gets plenty of media coverage, until there are even more people on their trail. Can Watty and Starlene make it south of the border without getting caught?