A tale of four generations of men, all of whom have had their offspring at a young age: a great-grandfather, a grandfather, a father in his twenties and a son who is about 7 years old. When the oldest member passes away, the trio heads out on the road together in the Southwest to search out an old family secret that connects to their past.
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Absolutely amazing
It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.
There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.
The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;
Very enjoyable film with an engaging script, fine direction, and superb performances from Walken and Caine. Overall, the film is entirely entertaining and quite moving at times. The photography and location filming are also a highlight. However, watching Walken and Caine in a film together is a delight and the story is both cockeyed and uplifting. If you admire the work of these two great actors, you won't want to miss them here even if you find the movie less than the funny, moving, and engaging film I found it to be. It certainly deserved a wider audience and more attention than it received. The director displays some real talent and the screenwriter delivers a uniquely well- done script with excellent dialog.
This is what is known as a "mid-sized movie", full of recognizable, but good, character actors, engaging dialog, strong intimacy, and no need to dazzle and impact a viewpoint of the audience. As that, it is perfect.The plot involves four generations of the Lair family, a kooky great-grandfather who deals with his impending death by thinking up alternative funerals, a grandfather who has been missing for decades due to a history of alcoholism and thievery, a son who "just wants to be normal" (we always know how well that works in family-driven films...), and a grandson who wants to go along for the ride because it will be fun. Once the grandfather (Walken) comes home, the great-grandfather makes some plans... only he has to die to make sure his progenitors will carry it through. Enter a road-trip, some spice-of-life, and a generous heaping of self-discovery, and voila, you get the prototype for this film.I think what's interesting about this movie is that it's full of dazzling panoramic long-shots of New Mexican sunsets, and yet in those shots maintains a close intimacy with the characters. Intimacy is the defining word in every case for this movie, as even when the characters are trying their darnedness to reject their family, their words bleed a need to be together. And they all know it.This movie isn't the type to last on the conscious of many viewers because it's so quiet and devoted, but it has strong sticking power to those few who really enjoy its color and colorful characters.--PolarisDiB
Father-son movies can quickly turn into sappy soap operas. Grandfather-father-son-grandson movies can drown you in cheap syrup. You gotta watch 'em. Around The Bend, though, keeps it grit and its soul right to the bitter-sweet end. The actors - Michael Caine, Christopher Walken, John Lucas and Jonah Bobo - are completely at home in their rolls. The writing is intelligent and real. If you've traveled the American West, the people and places along the road to hopeful redemption are familiar. Unless you were born of angels, so are the main characters. Take a good story, weave a perfect rock and roll soundtrack through it and stuff it into a Kentucky Fried Chicken sack. Now load it into a junkie old VW bus and sprinkle it very lightly with magic dust. What you got is a trip to someplace worth going. I love this movie!
I accidentally came across this film and am so glad i did. The only reason i watched it in the first place was because Christopher Walken was in it and i usually end up enjoying movies with in. This one was no exception. Still, this was much better than I could have ever expected and I'm glad I took the chance. Josh Lucas gave yet another outstanding performance and Michael Cain was Legendary as always. This movie takes you on a joyride of more human emotions then i though existed. It journeys into human relationships and focuses on the unbreakable bond between family. Family is family whether you like it or not! It's deep and moving and yet there were times when i found myself laughing out loud! A must see!
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