Around the Bend (2004)

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 ... See full summary »

Director:

Jordan Roberts

Writer:

Jordan Roberts

Stars:

Michael Caine, Christopher Walken, Josh Lucas

4 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

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)
Carlos A. Cabarcas	...	KFC Counterman (as Carlos Cabarcas)
Gerry Bamman	...	Albert
Jean Effron	...	Albert's Mother
Lily Knight	...	Tiffany's Saleswoman
Rick Negron	...	KFC Manager
David Marciano	...	Detective
Norbert Weisser	...	Walter
Laurie O'Brien	...	Ruth

Storyline

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 VW bus trip to New Mexico sorting out relationships and digging up a crippled family history. Dust and dogs figure prominently.

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Plot Keywords:

watching tv | trip | bus | on the road | dog | 

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Taglines:

The skeletons in the family closet just came out to play

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros. [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 January 2005 (Argentina)

Also Known As:

A kanyaron túl

Filming Locations:

New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$17,879, 10 October 2004, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$193,571, 21 November 2004

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Independent Pictures (WIP)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Katrina is watching Ghost Ship (2002), there is a picture above her head. It is a picture of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.

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Goofs

The words "My boy" appear written on different parts on the back of the old photograph depending on if it's a wide shot or a close-up.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Henry Lair: [banging on the furniture]
Jason Lair: Henry, it's 1 o'clock.
Henry Lair: I was... drumming for an idea.
Jason Lair: I heard.

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Connections

Featured in It's a Good Day: The Making of 'Around the Bend' (2005)

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Soundtracks

Roll Away The Stone
Written by Leon Russell and Greg Dempsey
Performed by Leon Russell
Courtesy of Shelter Records
Under license from EMI Film & Television Music

User Reviews

Beautifully told story

Extremely touching road movie around four generations of males whose relationships have become fractured in the past.

It's not made completely clear at the start, but Michael Caine is the great grandfather, Christopher Walken is the grandfather, Josh Lucas the father and the charming Jonah Bobo as the grandson. The family are reunited and Caine's character tasks them with a request in his will that his ashes be scattered near his favourite fast food restaurants throughout picturesque New Mexico (bizarre product placement).

Walken had disappeared from the family unit, with some resentment from all, and returns to the family and finds himself agreeing to fulfil his father's wishes. Throughout the journey, the family bonds are re-established and a gradual understanding of the characters grows and their past revealed.

This is a beautiful story, told at a gentle but entrancing pace, is truly moving and I recommend it highly. It's not very long, but within Walken is given great time and space to truly demonstrate his talents.