Reservation Road (2007)

On a warm September evening, college professor Ethan Learner, his wife Grace, and their daughter Emma are attending a recital. Their 10-year-old son Josh is playing cello - beautifully, as ... See full summary »

Director:

Terry George

Writers:

John Burnham Schwartz (screenplay), Terry George (screenplay),

Stars:

Joaquin Phoenix, Elle Fanning, Jennifer Connelly

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joaquin Phoenix	...	Ethan Learner
Elle Fanning	...	Emma
Jennifer Connelly	...	Grace Learner
Sean Curley	...	Josh
Samuel Ryan Finn	...	Cello Player
Eddie Alderson	...	Lucas
Mark Ruffalo	...	Dwight Arno
Susan Powell	...	Elegant Parent
Cordell Clyde	...	Jimmy McBride (as Cordell Clyde Lochin)
Antoni Corone	...	Sergeant Burke
Kevin Herbst	...	Driving Trooper
Mira Sorvino	...	Ruth Wheldon
Gary Kohn	...	Norris Wheldon
John Slattery	...	Steve Cutter
Nora Ferrari	...	Nora Fannelli

Storyline

On a warm September evening, college professor Ethan Learner, his wife Grace, and their daughter Emma are attending a recital. Their 10-year-old son Josh is playing cello - beautifully, as usual. His younger sister looks up to him, and his parents are proud of their son. On the way home, they all stop at a gas station on Reservation Road. There, in one terrible instant, he is taken from them forever. On a warm September evening, law associate Dwight Arno and his 11-year-old son Lucas are attending a baseball game. Their favorite team, the Red Sox, is playing - and, hopefully, heading for the World Series. Dwight cherishes his time spent with Lucas. Driving his son back to his ex-wife, Lucas' mother Ruth Wheldon, Dwight heads towards his fateful encounter at Reservation Road. The accident happens so fast that Lucas is all but unaware, while Ethan - the only witness - is all too aware, as a panicked Dwight speeds away. The police are called, and an investigation begins. Haunted by the ...

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Plot Keywords:

red sox | baseball | accident | investigation | grief | 

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Taglines:

To find the truth, you have to find who's hiding it.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some disturbing images

Details

Official Sites:

Focus Films Official site [jp]

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 June 2008 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Camino a la redención

Filming Locations:

Connecticut, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$36,269 (USA) (19 October 2007)

Gross:

$101,440 (USA) (26 October 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Focus Features, Random House Films, Reservation Road

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Johnny Damon is seen batting when Lucas takes a call from his mom. As Dwight (Mark Ruffalo) speaks with her on the phone a crack of the bat is heard. The crowd stands up and watches as Manny Ramirez rounds the bases, presumably after hitting a home run. Johnny Damon is nowhere to be seen.

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Quotes

Lucas: If a man stands in a forest, with no woman around, is he still wrong?
Brain 2: Yes!

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Episode dated 20 October 2007 (2007)

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Soundtracks

"Touch a Rainbow"
Written by Dennis Alexander
Performed by Elle Fanning

User Reviews

A vehicle full of great acting

The issues dealt with in this movie are real, and I can see many people who will be able to draw from their own experiences when watching this film. You may wonder sometimes if an accident happens, how long can you hold a person accountable for? Jennifer Connelly is again a mesmerizing presence on the silver screen. I watched tonight's screening of Reservation Road in Sudbury at our Cinefest festival expecting it to tug an emotional chord. I have to say, it was touching to see all the parents in the audience shedding a tear when the credits rolled. Joaquin Phoenix and Mark Ruffalo made a somewhat formulaic script feel fresh and real.