Around the Bend (2004)

A bitter, recently divorced man is goaded by his grandfather and son into going on a family road trip to reconcile with his estranged father.

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 Volkswagen bus trip to New Mexico sorting out relationships and digging up a crippled family history.

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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:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sir Michael Caine, who plays Christopher Walken's father, is only ten years older than him.

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Goofs

The graveyard scene at the beginning of the film was supposed to be set somewhere in southern California, as this was before they began their road trip to New Mexico. However, in the background you can catch a few glimpses of the Albuquerque skyline.

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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

Features Ghost Ship (2002)

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Soundtracks

A Fine Romance
Written by Dorothy Fields, Jerome Kern
Performed by Jill Zadeh & Gary Le Mel (as Gary LeMel)
Produced by Bobby Colomby

User Reviews

Explores family relationships w/great depth and sensitivity.

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!

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros. [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 January 2005 (Brazil)

Also Known As:

Around the Bend

Filming Locations:

New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$17,879, 10 October 2004

Gross USA:

$193,637

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$579,350

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