Director/writer Chris Zonnas has created a slightly slow yet attention grabbing road movie that might be loaded with a subconscious theme.
Ethan, Reza, and Alex are old friends but at this point in their life not necessarily close friends. Reza and Ethan agree to take their mutual friend Alex to a detox clinic by a request from Alex's father asked for through Reza. That point, which is almost the opening of the movie, captured my thoughts. Why through Reza, why not the father himself, or with the family wealth through some other source? Then as the story progresses you realize the three friends act more as a family than just three buddies. Reza is like the parental figure, he knows responsibility, is reliable and cautious. He reaches a point of frustration as a parent would with a child. Alex is like the spoiled misbehaving child that gives no thought to the future and only lives for the 'now'. Ethan is like the sibling that wants to help the parent but at the same time is not particularly concerned about the situation at hand.
Reza guides, Ethan follows, Alex complains and protest while making a fool of himself. By the end these three have had their fight, their friendly compassion, and self awareness while on the road. Reza returns home because he's committed to his not all together nice wife, Ethan sees his path in life a little more clear, and Alex decides that he must change his life or he's at a dead end.
This is a good film to think about and interpret. Its not a funny ha ha story but there are enough chuckles to keep the ride light.
