If Commercials Could Win Oscars...

College is seriously getting in the way of me watching TV. Thus, I am not able to watch new commercials. Still, I need to write a blog. Therefore, I will use an old commercial for this post.

Volkswagen had this movie-like cliffhanger commercial several years ago. Whenever it came on, I would watch it all the way through for the ride. (haha pun?) I think I will narrate this commercial instead of rating it because it already is one of my favorites.



On an overcast, damp day, a silver Volkswagen Jetta speeds down a windy, country road. A melancholic theme plays in the background. The driver, who looks a little like Brad Pitt, is tense. We can tell he is tense because we see him brush the sweat from his forehead. He is dressed in cuff links. What could the occasion be?

In another location, a bride is being tended to. Four bridesmaids surround the pretty brunette in her white lacy gown and pearls. She puts on a smile, but she also looks down. Is she really happy on this special day?

Back to the driver. He races through a wooded area, making the scene even gloomier. He clenches the wheel and focuses on the road. He can't be late for his wedding can he?

In the bride's room, we are introduced to the bride's father. He looks calm, in control. He certainly has dealt with more stressful things than this. He's probably a CEO of some big company. Or maybe a partner in a powerful law firm. He sits with his leg folded on his knee to show his ease.

But the bride is anything but at ease. She feels her engagement ring and looks longingly out the window. This is a woman with doubts.

The instrumental in the background adds bells to its track. Two things are accomplished: the wedding is highlighted and the intensity kicks up another notch.

The driver checks his watch. He probably could have looked at the digital clock in the Jetta, but that wouldn't reveal his urgency.

The father checks his watch too. There seems to be an underlying race here...

The Brad Pitt lookalike slows down. He is stuck behind a trailer. "Time to put this in top gear," he thinks to himself. Our protagonist passes the obstruction smoothly like a true hero.

Meanwhile, the father has stood up and is looking around. The stress is even getting to Mr. CEO...

The music now has soprano opera voices come on. Intensity increases tenfold.

Brad Pitt is doing his best - racing across bridges and navigating that annoyingly curvy road. But then he gets stuck at a railroad crossing. His eyes widen. He puts his head on the wheel. He screams obscenities.

The father shuts the door. Literally and perhaps figuratively. Is the wedding canceled?

Finally, Jetta driver/Brad Pitt lookalike makes it to the WASPy looking church. He doesn't have time to park the car; he leaves it in the front driveway.

Now here comes the twist:

It wasn't his wedding at all! He has driven to this church in hopes of stopping the pretty brunette from marrying Keanu Reeves.

He gets there just as soon as the minister (who is obviously not Catholic) says, "Speak now or forever hold your peace."

Brad climbs up the stairs and stops. Keanu turns his head. Pretty Brunette raises her eyebrows ever so slightly. Brad takes a deep breath...

And that's it. That's where the commercial ends. The tagline, "Fasten your seatbelts." is displayed. Perfection.


The music is called "One Million Miles Away" by J Ralph. I may or may not have downloaded it when I was in 7th grade and listened to it before I fell asleep at night...