Around The Bend
Around The Bend tells the story of four generations of men who are suddenly brought together by the chance to uncover the truth about their family's past. The journey will take them out on the road to a world full of surprises.
Member Reviews
One Fine Performance - Stitch
from Christopher Walken who survives and occasionally surmounts one of the most clichéd and unrealistic screenplays it has been my misfortune to suffer through in the past year. He’s believeable and convincing as the loser father and almost manages to gain a tiny bit of sympathy for a most unsympathetic character. To say more would be a spoiler, although there’s very little to spoil in this syrupy expedition.
Michael Caine does the wise elder bit with customary élan in a brief role that imposes little demands. Josh Lucas is adequate which is saying quite a lot considering he has to pretend to care as we lurch along on a predictable journey to a tearsome finale. What capped my discontent is the unveiling of the big secret…we should now feel sympathetic? Only Walken’s admirable handling of this episode prevented my throwing a brick through the screen.
Allegedly this story is based to some extent on the author’s own relationship with his father. Fine, enjoy your catharsis in a private screening; the forgiveness paradigm here just plain flames out for any adult viewer, particularly those of us with children. Speaking of which, Jonah Bobo comes across as a not-unappealing wise-ass which is probably appropriate...he was reading at age three.
There’s a rock featured in this film. Which for me is a fortuitous reminder of Priscilla Queen of the Desert where a ‘rock’ reference in the dialogue is one of many highlights in a genuinely different and appealing love story. Since I can’t think of anything else worth stating about this particular clunker, at least I can use the space to recommend PQOTD with Terence Stamp in a memorable and admirably out of character performance.
So two stars here for Christopher, who won a Golden Satellite award for best supporting actor. As did the author/director--I hesitate to imagine what came in second.
Watch at your peril. Enjoy with my sympathy.Around The Bend! - Jasaka
I recommend that any and every one watch this movie. It is one of the better ones I have seen in a while. It made me have all the cliche emotions affiliated to a good movie and that makes me happy! Josh Lucas and Christopher Walken, both FANTASTIC!!!Male bonding - Shelly
It's nice to see a story about the relationships between fathers and sons (and how screwed up they can be) instead of the usual mother-daughter stick. I though this was a nice movie and the little boy was absolutely adorable. The story of 4 generations of males and how they do (and do not) get along.
Member Reviews
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One Fine Performance - Stitch
from Christopher Walken who survives and occasionally surmounts one of the most clichéd and unrealistic screenplays it has been my misfortune to suffer through in the past year. He’s believeable and convincing as the loser father and almost manages to gain ...Around The Bend! - Jasaka
I recommend that any and every one watch this movie. It is one of the better ones I have seen in a while. It made me have all the cliche emotions affiliated to a good movie and that makes me happy! Josh Lucas and Christopher Walken, both FANTASTIC!!!Male bonding - Shelly
It's nice to see a story about the relationships between fathers and sons (and how screwed up they can be) instead of the usual mother-daughter stick. I though this was a nice movie and the little boy was absolutely adorable. The story of 4 generations of ...