Around the Bend (2004)
A tale of four generations of men, all of whom have had their offspring at a young age: a great-grandfather, a grandfather, a father in his twenties and a son who is about 7 years old. When the oldest member passes away, the trio heads out on the road together in the Southwest to search out an old family secret that connects to their past.
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Fresh and Exciting
An absolute waste of money
Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.
Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.
I found this to be one of the most tedious and pointless films I've ever seen. According to the DVD cover it was suppose to be funny and a masterpiece. It was neither what it was was slow and depressing. It tried to be profound, nearly every line spoken was spoken like it was the most profound thing ever said. None of the characters were either likable or even that believable. At the start gathering from the music it was trying to be whimsical but it was as flat as a pancake. Despite having two great actors in Michael Caine and Christopher Walken not even they could save this from being a stone cold turkey. The only good thing about this film was the soundtrack and the cinematography (New Mexico always looks amazing). 2/10
Two legendary actors and two young talents represent four generations in a quirky story worthy of their performances. This movie must have been misplaced or mispromoted, because it seems to have come out of nowhere. It has humor, grace and heart, with smart dialog and extraordinary acting, particularly by Christopher Walken and (of course) Michael Caine. And it's got some great laughs, especially when Glenne Headly's around. Probably the only thing wrong with this movie is its highly forgettable name. It deserves something more compelling to sum up its story.If you like this, see "Last Orders," also with Michael Caine, which has a related premise.
Everything about this movie is perfect. I cared about each character as soon as I was introduced to them. The scenes flow masterfully. Each nuance (Henry's drumming; Jason's echoing Henry's drumming; Jason's sigh when Henry starts drumming again before he even gets settled in bed) seems magically real and believably natural. I felt I knew them intimately.The only time I usually watch a movie a 2nd time is for clarity. This movie I watched 6 times. Unprecedented for me. It was just such a pleasure to observe these people interacting; all puns intended.Bravo!
What a wonderful and thoughtful movie! I initially rented it solely on the strength of the cast. Michael Caine, Christopher Walken, what more could you ask for? As it turns out, one of my favorite characters turned out to be "Zach", the youngest son. This young actor is absolutely edible in this role. He has a charming quirkiness and is sooooo endearing.Walken, playing the tormented soul who left his son when his son was but a child, is actually a sympathetic character. Michael Caine was compelling as a father who wants more than anything to bring his family back together. In an age of "chick flicks", it is so refreshing to see a "man movie" that sensitively deals with father-son relationships. Though it is rated R, it barely warrants that rating. I would have no problem allowing my 14 year old sons to watch it and possibly even my 12 year old daughter. Actually, the brief horror movie scene is the worst part!