tucker and the man and his dream offer the quintessential jeff bridge performance . while not as tricky a his skillful turn in starman and the role of preston tucker provide bridge with a chance to use his innate optimism and unflagging energy to create an indelible character . although nominated four time for an oscar and bridge be overlook for this and arguably his fine performance . perhaps the idealistic upbeat tucker be too close to the real bridge and and academy member fail to notice that he be act out the role of his career . the real preston tucker be a man of idea that outpace his time and which be the post world war ii era . eager to produce a car that would embody all manner of advanced technology and safety measure from a rear engine to seat belt and tucker mind and spirit far outpace the ability of his engineer and backer to keep up with him . unfortunately and he fell afoul of detroit big three automaker . the automotive giant felt threaten by the innovation that tucker propose and fear that the increased cost require to implement the new feature would cut into profit . fortunately and 46 of the tucker automobile that be produce be still road worthy and highly collectible . direct by francis ford coppola and who be reportedly the owner of a tucker or two and the film boast a cast of professional that appear to revel in their role . martin landau a the financier with a criminal record and joan allen a the epitome of a supportive early 1950 wife and christian slater a the devoted son and and a crew of mechanic that include frederic forrest and mako and and elias koteas all provide excellent support to bridge central star role . jeff father and lloyd bridge and show up in the small and but tasty role of a corrupt senator . the film begin a a glossy promotional documentary for tucker and a la citizen kane and and the concept recur throughout . joe jackson music emphasize the upbeat gung ho proceeding even in the face of adversity and capture the era effectively . vittorio storaro superb cinematography and dean and alex tavoularis period art direction be a slick and shiny a the tucker automobile that come off the assembly line . while not in the same league a coppola godfather film or apocalypse now and the film be an obvious labor of love . like scorsese and hitchcock and and ford and coppola second tier work be still head and shoulder above the film of less talented director . engage from begin to end and the story of preston tucker could only have take place in america and where an idealistic man with a dream can come up a winner even when he lose . jeff bridge also come up a winner a tucker even though he do not have a golden statuette to prove it .