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Around the Bend

Play trailer Poster for Around the Bend R Released Oct 8, 2004 1h 23m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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29% Tomatometer 97 Reviews 60% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Jason Lair (Josh Lucas) and his son, Zach (Jonah Bobo), move from Los Angeles to the Southwest to live with Jason's grandfather Henry (Michael Caine) and his live-in nurse, Katrina (Glenne Headly). Henry's health is rapidly deteriorating, and he wants to visit Albuquerque, N.M. Before they leave, Jason's father, Turner (Christopher Walken), surprisingly arrives, and they all embark together. When Henry suddenly dies, the three remaining Lairs continue their trip, bonding along the way.
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Around the Bend

Around the Bend

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Critics Consensus

Around the Bend sets a destination of earnest generational drama, but settles for the most derivative route to get there, veering off course into trite sentimentality.

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Critics Reviews

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Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle Jordan Roberts' feature debut pulls off the dizzying high-wire act of being both a misty-eyed glimpse into four generations of the men in the Lair family and a steely meditation on manhood, parenting, and the pitfalls thereof. Rated: 3/5 Oct 24, 2004 Full Review Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com With a cast this strong, the picture is easy to watch, but Roberts can't help but pile on the goop and schmaltz undercutting any emotional resonance he hopes to achieve with a banal whimsy that grates on the nerves. Rated: 2/4 Oct 23, 2004 Full Review Susan Walker Toronto Star A sentimental journey, to be sure, but is saved by bleakly humorous moments. Rated: 3/5 Oct 22, 2004 Full Review Michael Dequina TheMovieReport.com When traveling the American Southwest, there are bound to be many KFC locations around the bend to feed you along the way. Rated: 1/4 Dec 21, 2014 Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Michael Caine and Christopher Walken breath spirited life into debut writer/director Jordan Roberts' road trip of family bonding in this independent movie with a big heart. Rated: B Apr 18, 2009 Full Review Uri Lessing www.kcactive.com ...in many ways the softer scenes have more punch to them than any of the emotional confrontations or dramatic revelations Rated: 3/5 Jul 25, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Kyle M Throughout its simplistic duration, it boasts an excellent cast whilst being tonally meaningful somewhat with a decent conversation towards reconciliation, but enabling empathy in the process for engagement becomes disconnectedly distant despite Josh Lucas' best efforts. (B-) Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/03/24 Full Review Steve D Great cast for something you have seen done better 100 times over. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 09/28/23 Full Review Audience Member A movie made for DVD rental only. I think that this film was worth watching. Some funny moments and the acting was pretty good. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member Not much new in this one, but how often do you get to see Caine and Walken having fun in the same movie? Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member Though Christopher Walken seemed sluggish and out of sorts, the story was really good. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Forget the critics. Listen to me. Better yet, watch this magical movie. The cast listing the name of Michael Caine alone should require a viewing by any movie fan who knows what to watch. Add Christopher Walken and please. Plus this quirky script? It will land in your all time top ten and if it doesn't, then at least a five-star rating. Must see. Enough said. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Around the Bend

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Cast & Crew

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Jordan Roberts

Director

Christopher Walken

Turner Lair

Josh Lucas

Jason Lair

Michael Caine

Henry Lair

Glenne Headly

Katrina

Jonah Bobo

Zach Lair

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Around the Bend

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Movie Info

Synopsis Jason Lair (Josh Lucas) and his son, Zach (Jonah Bobo), move from Los Angeles to the Southwest to live with Jason's grandfather Henry (Michael Caine) and his live-in nurse, Katrina (Glenne Headly). Henry's health is rapidly deteriorating, and he wants to visit Albuquerque, N.M. Before they leave, Jason's father, Turner (Christopher Walken), surprisingly arrives, and they all embark together. When Henry suddenly dies, the three remaining Lairs continue their trip, bonding along the way.
Director
Jordan Roberts
Producer
Julie Kirkham, Elliott Lewitt
Screenwriter
Jordan Roberts
Distributor
Warner Independent
Production Co
Warner Independent Pictures
Rating
R (Language)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 8, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA)
$193.6K
Runtime
1h 23m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)
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