Adopt a Highway

Released Nov 1, 2019

1 hr. 21 min.

Drama

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List

70%

33 Reviews

Tomatometer

70%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

When an ex-convict finds an abandoned baby in a dumpster, he gains a new lease on life, deciding to dedicate himself to making sure the child has a good life.

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Premiered May 10

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Critics Consensus

Adopt a Highway might have done more to fill in its sparsely sketched story, but Ethan Hawke's performance is often enough to fill in the blanks.

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Sam H

HAWke and a dumpsta baby what more do you need

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/08/19

Full Review

Michelle L

An honor to watch such a supremely somber and yet so feel good of a movie. Left us teary eyed, sad, and happy.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/26/23

Full Review

Gwenegan L

Not my type of movies, but i'll watch every movie where Ethan Hawke is in. Intimist drama, Ethan Hawke performance is absorbing due to the wonderful writing of his character. Not really a narrative driven movie, I'll describe it as a character study.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/16/23

Full Review

John B

It was ok overall as it had some interesting story points, but they didn't really seem to all connect plus it was slow moving and dull at some points

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Convincing, well paced, and says what it has to say without dragging or rambling on too long.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

carolyn

I love Ethan Hawke and have been a fan for since 1985 with Explorers. He plays the character well. However the story is ridiculous. I get that he just got out of prison after 20 years for marijuana possession. An outrageous sentence. C'mon thou who finds a baby in a dumpster and keeps it? Who doesn't know you can't keep a baby found in a dumpster? Who would even want to keep it while on parole and living in a motel room. You're just asking to get caught. Poof omg you're a Dad, c'mon. How are you going to go back to work in 2 days? Take her with you and tell everyone she's yours knowing you've been locked up for 20 years. All this baby did was cry. I don't know how he slipped away to the grocery story without that baby screaming it's head off and alerting the motel staff. Adopt her? How could he possibly adopt her in his situation. The last thing I would do is try to keep a baby I found in a dumpster. The cops and investigators caused him to lose his job after he did what he thought was the right thing by this baby. That woman investigator who showed up at his job was nasty and totally accusatory. As for fetched as the story seems, how else did he come to have this baby in his possession. I am also surprised she didn't fall off the bed the first night while he had the baby on the edge of the bed. Also surprised the cops who showed up to the motel weren't the least bit suspicious and just left. Of course it's a movie, a ridiculous story at best. I can't imagine anyone wanting to take on a crying, screaming baby in that situation. Also strange that a baby left in a dumpster would be wearing what looks like quite an expensive dress. Then again it's a movie. Leaving all the money for her in the end for when she turned 18 was also ridiculous to me. Also not supposed to travel while on parole and the police/investigators told him not to go anywhere. In reality in such a situation they'd be watching him more closely. An warrant for absconding may every well have been issued if such a real life situation. I just can't help but to rip this storyline apart. Hawke's acting thou is Aces as usual. I don't think he's even played a role where I didn't think he did well. Sorry for all the spoilers. I also don't normally tear movies apart.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/14/22

Full Review

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Logan Marshall-Green

Director

Ethan Hawke

Russell Millings

Chris Sullivan

Orankle

Christopher Heyerdahl

Jim

Elaine Hendrix

Diane Spring

Betty Gabriel

Deeks

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Adopt a Highway: Trailer 1

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Tom Long

Detroit News

"Adopt a Highway" is a warm, compassionate film in which Ethan Hawke spends much of his time talking honestly to a baby. Something about that offers a few rays of hope for cinema.

Rated: B

Nov 3, 2019

Full Review

Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

[Ethan Hawke] does the best he can with a character that is not terribly well-developed.

Nov 1, 2019

Full Review

Sheila O'Malley

RogerEbert.com

Holding it all together is Hawke's performance, weighted down with the heaviness of injustice.

Rated: 2.5/4

Nov 1, 2019

Full Review

Ryan McQuade

InSession Film

Ethan Hawke gives another commanding performance...

Apr 4, 2024

Full Review

Jordy Sirkin

Jordy Reviews It

Adopt a Highway is an emotional journey through heartbreak and reinvention, which also shares a harsh reminder of the reality our prison system serves to some.

Jul 12, 2020

Full Review

Renee Schonfeld

Common Sense Media

Ethan Hawke excels in satisfying drama; some language.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 9, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

When an ex-convict finds an abandoned baby in a dumpster, he gains a new lease on life, deciding to dedicate himself to making sure the child has a good life.

Director: Logan Marshall-Green
Executive Producer: Zac Locke, Couper Samuelson, Donald Tang
Screenwriter: Logan Marshall-Green
Distributor: RLJE Films
Production Co: Divide/Conquer
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 1, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 1, 2019

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