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The Long Way Home

Play trailer Poster for The Long Way Home TV-PG 1998 1h 36m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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After his wife's death, 75-year-old retiree Thomas Gerrin (Jack Lemmon) has moved in with his son (Garwin Sanford) and daughter-in-law (Kristin Griffith), who treat him as a politely suffered imposition. When he meets outgoing grad student Leanne (Sarah Paulson) on her way to Northern California, he impetuously decides to join her and visit his old girlfriend, Veronica (Betty Garrett), in Monterey. As the mismatched pair traverse the country, Thomas' worried kids attempt to locate their father.
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The Long Way Home

Critics Reviews

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Stefan Pape Common Sense Media This important and Oscar-winning documentary highlights a critical but often overlooked historical period. Mar 19, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ron T It was a cute, quirky movie. It did drag at times. Some of the references will go over the head of younger people. The reference to Claudette Colbert is from “It happened one night” with Clark Gable. “You’re Aces with me.” is from Casablanca, not a 2006 cartoon like Google AI suggests. As the father of 3 and grandfather of 6 I found it unrealistic how cavalier the lead character was about reassuring his family that he was safe. I would never worry my family that much and cause the police that much concern and expense. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/26/25 Full Review RICHARD S A truly enjoyable light drama. Lemmon's relaxed portrayal is easy to enjoy, although the writers could have given him a more authentic sense of responsibility in assuring his family that he was okay on such an extensive (and unusual) cross country trip. His trip mate is a bit weird and not too credible. But it is all compensated for when the wonderful Betty Garrett appears in her too-brief role at the end of Jack's journey. Good as Lemon is in his role, she is even better - beautiful in her maturity. natural in her role as his first love. The brief scenes with these two are what make your time worthwhile watching this pretty darned good movie. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/28/25 Full Review Audience Member A really fun and quirky little movie. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Audience Member Warm and thoughtful movie, about standing at a roadblock not knowing wich way 2 go... Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member A retired widow leaves his family to go on an adventure and befriends a young woman. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member A Jack Lemmon television movie, but he is still a worthy watch even though it is one of several low-key dramas he took towards the end of his career. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Long Way Home

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Cast & Crew

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Glenn Jordan

Director

Jack Lemmon

Thomas Gerrin

Sarah Paulson

Leanne Bossert

Betty Garrett

Veronica

Rosemary Dunsmore

Mrs. Bossert

Peter Dvorsky

Craig Bossert
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The Long Way Home

The Long Way Home (1998) The Long Way Home (1998) The Long Way Home (1998) The Long Way Home (1998) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis After his wife's death, 75-year-old retiree Thomas Gerrin (Jack Lemmon) has moved in with his son (Garwin Sanford) and daughter-in-law (Kristin Griffith), who treat him as a politely suffered imposition. When he meets outgoing grad student Leanne (Sarah Paulson) on her way to Northern California, he impetuously decides to join her and visit his old girlfriend, Veronica (Betty Garrett), in Monterey. As the mismatched pair traverse the country, Thomas' worried kids attempt to locate their father.
Director
Glenn Jordan
Producer
Glenn Jordan
Screenwriter
William Hanley
Production Co
Hallmark Entertainment, Lawrence Turman Inc.
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (TV)
Mar 1, 1998
Runtime
1h 36m
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