The Open Road [Import]

I am a big Jeff Bridges fan and appreciate everything he has done and such, but I didn't feel grabbed by this one at all. Not that there were horrible performances or bad film making, it just had a slew of little things peppered throughout that made me not give this the above average recommendation.

The story follows a minor league ball player (Timberlake) suffering a slump, who has to get his famous big league dad (Bridges) to make a final visit to his estranged and dying ex-wife. Through some poorly staged events, they have to make it a road trip together across several states (instead of flying) to make this union happen. The scenery is quite beautiful in some of the sequences, and it even upstages some of the sparse dialogue as the long-parted kin find a way to re-connect. Kate Mara is the tag-along friend who offers the love interest of Timberlake, but the chemistry never materializes in ways it should have.

The Blu quality is average to below average, with the strong showing being the opening aerial shot of the baseball game (must have used a different camera - they usually seem to in those kinds of scenes). Some of the color/contrasts in the open road shots shine nicely, but the amount of indoor and dark sequences show several weaknesses. The 5.1 is uneventful, and the only supplement offers little insight other than some typical fluff. Did not get to the commentary as I could not venture sitting through this twice. Three for the film content and Mr. Bridges (the supporting cast of Steenburgen and Harry Dean Stanton are not present enough to warrant dissecting their screen time). I love road films so maybe this will give you some light entertainment on a slow night.

As Jeff Bridges, to me, has always been one of the most underrated actors of his period--I'm glad to see him finally getting the recognition he deserves. His recent Oscar win for "Crazy Heart" is just a capper on his previous four nominations (The Last Picture Show, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, Starman, and The Contender) which spanned nearly 40 years. Aside from "Picture Show," these films only hint at Bridges' range and I've always maintained that his best work often flew under the radar (Tucker: The Man And His Dream, The Fisher King, the incredible Oscar worthy Fearless, and dare I mention The Dude from The Big Lebowski) and were the true heights of his acting genius. It's only natural that Bridges has settled into somewhat of a comfort zone and "The Open Road" is a film he could do in his sleep. Playing a disheveled and obstinate man in a mid-life crisis has been Bridges' go-to role for several years now and it's on display again in this dysfunctional road trip dramedy.

Justin Timberlake plays a struggling minor league ball player who is distressed to learn that his mother (Mary Steenburgen) is in need of a heart operation. She refuses the procedure unless her ex-husband (Timberlake's father Bridges) comes to see her. Bridges plays a former baseball champion now boozing through his glory years signing autographs and reliving past successes. Needless to say, his relationship with his son is fairly non-existent and suitably strained. Timberlake and faithful gal pal (and former girlfriend) Kate Mara fly out to retrieve Bridges at a baseball convention. Of course, if this were the real world--there wouldn't be much drama to this scenario. But through movie magic and contrived situations, the three are forced into a road trip across country. It's not the least bit believable, but are these things ever? What do you suspect might happen? If I have to tell you, you don't see many movies! There are plenty of confrontations between Bridges and Timberlake, unexpected bonding, mild humor and anything else that might provoke a new understanding between the central characters.

Many people I know have attacked this movie due to Timberlake (this was prior to him appearing in higher profile roles). In truth, he's fine. I appreciated that he actually wanted to do something more low key and small to develop his talent. Bridges is, of course, a reliable trooper. But the movie's secret weapon, to my mind, is the thoroughly charming Mara. I've liked her for years (check out Transsiberian if you haven't seen it), but here she really gets a chance to hold her own. Look, nothing in "The Open Road" will surprise you from a plotting standpoint--but it is an agreeable and amiable diversion. I certainly liked it, but its lack of surprises or originality keep it firmly grounded as a pleasant, but not great, experience. If you are a fan of any of the principles, check this out. Slight and predictable, but fairly engaging nevertheless. KGHarris, 10/11.

As Jeff Bridges, to me, has always been one of the most underrated actors of his period--I'm glad to see him finally getting the recognition he deserves. His recent Oscar win for "Crazy Heart" is just a capper on his previous four nominations (The Last Picture Show, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, Starman, and The Contender) which spanned nearly 40 years. Aside from "Picture Show," these films only hint at Bridges' range and I've always maintained that his best work often flew under the radar (Tucker: The Man And His Dream, The Fisher King, the incredible Oscar worthy Fearless, and dare I mention The Dude from The Big Lebowski) and were the true heights of his acting genius. It's only natural that Bridges has settled into somewhat of a comfort zone and "The Open Road" is a film he could do in his sleep. Playing a disheveled and obstinate man in a mid-life crisis has been Bridges' go-to role for several years now and it's on display again in this dysfunctional road trip dramedy.

Justin Timberlake plays a struggling minor league ball player who is distressed to learn that his mother (Mary Steenburgen) is in need of a heart operation. She refuses the procedure unless her ex-husband (Timberlake's father Bridges) comes to see her. Bridges plays a former baseball champion now boozing through his glory years signing autographs and reliving past successes. Needless to say, his relationship with his son is fairly non-existent and suitably strained. Timberlake and faithful gal pal (and former girlfriend) Kate Mara fly out to retrieve Bridges at a baseball convention. Of course, if this were the real world--there wouldn't be much drama to this scenario. But through movie magic and contrived situations, the three are forced into a road trip across country. It's not the least bit believable, but are these things ever? What do you suspect might happen? If I have to tell you, you don't see many movies! There are plenty of confrontations between Bridges and Timberlake, unexpected bonding, mild humor and anything else that might provoke a new understanding between the central characters.

Many people I know have attacked this movie due to Timberlake (this was prior to him appearing in higher profile roles). In truth, he's fine. I appreciated that he actually wanted to do something more low key and small to develop his talent. Bridges is, of course, a reliable trooper. But the movie's secret weapon, to my mind, is the thoroughly charming Mara. I've liked her for years (check out Transsiberian if you haven't seen it), but here she really gets a chance to hold her own. Look, nothing in "The Open Road" will surprise you from a plotting standpoint--but it is an agreeable and amiable diversion. I certainly liked it, but its lack of surprises or originality keep it firmly grounded as a pleasant, but not great, experience. If you are a fan of any of the principles, check this out. Slight and predictable, but fairly engaging nevertheless. KGHarris, 10/11.