The Roads Not Taken

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The Roads Not Taken

R

2020

1h 25m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

44%

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50 Reviews

26%

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50+ Ratings

A day in the life of Leo and his daughter, Molly, as she grapples with the challenges of her father's chaotic mind. As they weave their way through New York City, Leo's journey takes on a hallucinatory quality as he floats through alternate lives he could have lived, leading Molly to wrestle with her own path as she considers her future.

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Critics Consensus

The Roads Not Taken is the well-acted result of an undeniably singular vision -- one which is ultimately frustratingly, fatally inert.

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Simran Hans

Observer (UK)

Sep 13, 2020

3/5

The Roads Not Taken is frequently moving, and a fascinating creative idea, but without sufficient information about Leo's character to anchor the narrative, it feels too abstract.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Sep 11, 2020

3/5

It's a chamber piece in many ways, but with bold flashback excursions that come close to causing its emotional engine to overheat.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Sep 10, 2020

2/5

[T]hat's it. That's the film. Three different Javier Bardems moaning solidly, sometimes crying, and struggling to write, for 85 minutes.

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Geoffrey Macnab

iNews.co.uk

Jan 16, 2025

3/5

Bardem brings grace and pathos to his role, and there is real delicacy and tenderness in his scenes with Fanning.

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Erick Estrada

Cinegarage

Jul 18, 2023

The narrative never quite passes its halfway mark... the movie would've benefited from more relatable characters and clarity overall. [Full review in Spanish]

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Aug 24, 2022

4.5/5

Potter’s movie leans heavily on its two lead performances, both dramatically different but equally essential.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 May 27, 2025

Seriously, what the ****?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Robin H

@RT03192037 Feb 22, 2024

Good performances and nicely woven together story lines

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Jerod S

@jeroduptown Dec 14, 2023

Bardem is a great actor and a dad that's falling apart mentally. But his different selfs in different cities and families don't connect. AKA - this don't make no sense.

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sally b

@RT51036825 Aug 18, 2023

Well acted, but very depressing. If you have a loved one with decreasing mental abilities, I would advise against it.

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Ziggy T

@RT06613646 Apr 9, 2023

A really hard watch. Great cast all around. Javier outdoes himself once again. The movie deals with loss, guilt, regret and it is definitely not everyone's cup of tea.

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Kyle M

@RT77296778 Oct 23, 2022

Here's what need to be pointed out regarding what this film is and applicably means. Criticized for its active lackey stemmed from misperception over its realism that could only be empathetically understood if you witnessed the similar mental deterioration from a loved one's dementia. While research has been done as a supportive production value for a firm grasp, director Sally Porter handled it with a personal degree that connects like it was meant to be. Then as a viewer who's more involved towards the topic than just a casual one drawn either into star power or topic, the presented story also meant to connect with current or experienced struggles depicted here with quite an insight adjacent to narrative wholesomeness. Both Elle Fanning and Javier Bardem representationally performed with relatability bolstering and certifying their nuanced gravitas. Not perfect as it's gone as far it wants essentially through grasped ideas and insightful depth without necessarily going for the extra mile that agreeably spell captivation, resulting this as perfectly average. (B)

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Sally Potter

Director

Javier Bardem

Leo

Elle Fanning

Molly

Salma Hayek

Dolores

Branka Katić

Xenia

Laura Linney

Rita

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Synopsis

A day in the life of Leo and his daughter, Molly, as she grapples with the challenges of her father's chaotic mind. As they weave their way through New York City, Leo's journey takes on a hallucinatory quality as he floats through alternate lives he could have lived, leading Molly to wrestle with her own path as she considers her future.

Director: Sally Potter
Producer: Christopher Sheppard
Screenwriter: Sally Potter
Distributor: Bleecker Street Media
Production Co: Adventure Pictures, BBC Films, British Film Institute
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 13, 2020, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 22, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.3K
Runtime: 1h 25m

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