The Trip to Bountiful

TV-PG

2014

1 hr. 30 min.

Drama

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Reviews

59%

50+ Ratings

Audience Score

A determined woman (Cicely Tyson) escapes from the clutches of her overprotective son (Blair Underwood) to travel to her hometown.

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Premiered Mar 22

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Dearl N

Well done (for a Lifetime Movie). Cicely Tyson and Vanessa Williams carry the cast of talented actors. Worth the watch.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

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Ken R

Horton Foot's daughter Hallie, commissioned director Michael Wilson to helm this impressive version of her father's prize-winning story. This time it's successfully told from the perspective of a black family, using all the situations lovingly brought to life from her father's original script. Nothing is lost; all the unique characters of this inspirational slice of life are here to be wondered at all over again. Some characters on this journey receive warmer personality treatments than in the original and this, thankfully, adds to the enjoyment. Production is excellent, performances are exceptional (Cicely Tyson, along with the cinematographer; David Greene and all the producers were nominated for Emmys) with special mention to a thoughtfully designed music score by John Gromada. Recommended for discerning viewers who enjoy simple studies of life-inspired stories. Available on DVD and Foxtel

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/31/21

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Audience Member

A poignant remake of the 1985 film which won the Best Actress award for Geraldine Paige. While Vanessa Williams gives a rather one-note performance Cicely Tyson is marvelous as the woman who, no longer independent nor youthful, finds herself living with her son and his wife, longing to return to the town of her youth. Of course, you can't figuratively (or in the film's case, literally) go home again and this film is more about finding that Bountiful is really a state of mind rather than a physical locality. Worth seeing for Ms. Tyson's extraordinary performance and through an African-American perspective.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Audience Member

Heartwarming is the word I would use to describe "The Trip to Bountiful." The best moment in this film happens at its close, when Carrie Watts (Cicely Tyson) and her son Ludie Watts (Blair Underwood) have a heart-to-heart in the yard of their family homestead. The old house, which is just barely standing after having been abandoned years ago, is in rural Bountiful. Carrie travels there by train, much to the angst of Ludie and his wife Jessie Mae Watts (Vanessa Williams), and without their knowing. Carrie has a heart condition and in her older age she should not be traveling alone. Once Ludie catches up with Carrie in Bountiful after giving both he and Jessie Mae the slip, they bask in the golden sun drenched nostalgia of their family's idyllic acreage. Carrie is girlish once again. She gazes up into the sky hoping to catch glimpses of red birds and scissortails. Ludie is worn. He broods over the fact that he never had children and couldn't provide the kind of life for his wife or mother that they deserve. But for Carrie, returning to her hometown of Bountiful is an experience that is priceless. Neither Ludie's self-loathing nor his wife's curtness is enough to spoil her trip. Williams is dismissively good. Tyson is genuine and sweet. Underwood proves once again just how underrated he is.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Cicely Tyson's quality performance is incapable of saving this very arid stagey production...the simplistic and flat storyline takes every turn you expect it to with no surprises and fails to entertain.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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Audience Member

Cute movie but predictable.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

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Michael Wilson

Director

Cicely Tyson

Carrie Watts

Vanessa Williams

Jessie Mae Watts

Blair Underwood

Ludie Watts

Keke Palmer

Thelma

Bill Haber

Producer

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Jose Solís

PopMatters

This Lifetime version of The Trip to Bountiful feels appropriate to remind people to go to the theater, to go seek why shows keep being turned into films and TV miniseries. The Trip to Bountiful, as it is here, isn't always worth the ride.

Rated: 5/10

Sep 12, 2014

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Synopsis

A determined woman (Cicely Tyson) escapes from the clutches of her overprotective son (Blair Underwood) to travel to her hometown.

Director: Michael Wilson
Production Co: Ostar Productions
Rating: TV-PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 9, 2014

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