Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Michael Caine | ... | Henry Lair | |
Jonah Bobo | ... | Zach Lair | |
Josh Lucas | ... | Jason Lair | |
Glenne Headly | ... | Katrina | |
Christopher Walken | ... | Turner Lair | |
David Eigenberg | ... | John | |
Robert Douglas Washington | ... | College Student (as Robert Douglas) | |
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Carlos A. Cabarcas | ... | KFC Counterman (as Carlos Cabarcas) |
Gerry Bamman | ... | Albert | |
Jean Effron | ... | Albert's Mother | |
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Lily Knight | ... | Tiffany's Saleswoman |
Rick Negron | ... | KFC Manager | |
David Marciano | ... | Detective | |
Norbert Weisser | ... | Walter | |
Laurie O'Brien | ... | Ruth |
In Los Angeles, Jason Lair is recently separated, living with his grandfather and his son. He's a banker, tense, with a limp. Grandfather Henry, an archaeologist, wants to take the family van on a trip to Albuquerque. His plans are interrupted when Turner, Jason's father and Henry's son, appears after years of absence. Henry wants to celebrate family, as does Zach, Jason's son; Jason is angry and distant, Turner seems detached and says he's got a bus to catch in the morning. This prompts Henry to put in place an elaborate plan that will send his "tribe" on that Volkswagen bus trip to New Mexico sorting out relationships and digging up a crippled family history. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>
Christopher Walken and Josh Lucas are incredibly believable in their rich portrayals of a father and son who have been apart for many years and brought together by an eccentric grandfather's wish for a family reunion and an emotional scavenger hunt. Newcomer, Jonah Bobo is superbly natural in his role as Zack. The story is heart-warming and heart-wrenching at the same time, reminding us that while we don't choose our families, we can choose to love and accept them in spite of the damage we do to each other. We can indeed learn from the mistakes of those who go before us and pass on the best of the previous generation leaving our mark on the next generation.
This was a great movie, with a great soundtrack - a real father-son coming of age story without any saccharine!