Both Neal Oliver and O.W. Grant are jerks (spoiler)

Let us commence with the enigmatic figure known as O.W. Grant, referred to as a 'jinni' capable of granting wishes. Initially, he perpetuated a most sinister act by causing the death of Mr. Baker, portrayed by Michael J. Fox. It is evident that Grant possessed full awareness of the inevitable consequences, yet he willingly acceded to the wish with unwavering zeal, deriving a perverse sense of amusement from it, akin to the mirth of a sadist.

It is worth noting that Mr. Baker did not truly make a wish, and this holds true for the other individuals involved. Instead, he experienced outbursts of anger, lacking the comprehension that the peculiar figure before them was indeed a genuine "jinni." Much like a person, in a moment of ire, might utter in passing, "I wish he would die," such utterances are not issued with genuine intent. The speaker harbors no earnest desire for the individual's death.

Furthermore, he observes from the side heinous acts like the restaurant scam and sends the protagonist to town where his existence could deteriorate into that of a drug-dependent individual. Moreover, I find disturbing his evident delight in the dismay he inflicts upon the young woman he encounters while hitchhiking.

Now, Neal, the character we are meant to perceive as benevolent and empathetic, falls short of this portrayal in significant ways. Above all, I find his treatment of his father deeply troubling.

Admittedly, his father may have a tendency to live through his son and may sometimes lack the requisite sensitivity. However, I cannot help but be dismayed by Neal's conduct. During their initial confrontation, instead of expressing his sentiments to his father in a civil and appreciative manner while explaining his aspirations for an alternative career path, Neal adopts an utterly disrespectful demeanor. He resorts to a menacing posture akin to that of a gangster issuing threats to a neighborhood local store. he shows a shocking lack of respect towards his father, who does not deserve such ugly treatment.

However, it is rather surprising that no one has yet addressed the pivotal moment in the story. The scene where Neal arrives at the site of a car accident and is informed by a police officer that the deceased is identified as a "law student from St. Louis" who "went nuts, and killed his old man." One would expect a typical son to react with shock and abhorrence at the insinuation that he harbored any thoughts of causing harm to his own father. Yet, our "beloved" Neal responds with a smile, laughter, and expresses his fondness for the highway.

Moreover, considering the Genie's assertion that the road possesses the ability to traverse between the past and the future, it raises an unsettling question: could our protagonist possibly exhibit psychopathic tendencies? We are already witnesses his moral shortcomings, exemplified by his involvement in the restaurant scam, despite his foreknowledge of the impending consequences.

In a film that preaches its moral messages from the very outset to its conclusion, it appears that the injunction to "Honor thy father and thy mother" is conspicuously absent.