The Open Road

Critics Consensus

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Movie Info

Jeff Bridges, Justin Timberlake, and Mary Steenburgen star in writer/director Michael Meredith's tale of a young man looking to reconnect with his long-lost father -- a famous athlete -- and bring him back to the bedside of his ailing mother. Lyle Lovett, Harry Dean Stanton, and Kate Mara fill out the supporting cast in the Perfect Weekend production. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating:

PG-13 (for some language)
Genre:

Comedy, Drama
Directed By:

Michael Meredith
Written By:

Michael Meredith
In Theaters:

Aug 28, 2009 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Nov 17, 2009
Runtime:

91 minutes
Studio:

Anchor Bay Entertainment

Cast

Jeff Bridges
as Kyle Garrett

Justin Timberlake
as Carlton Garrett

Kate Mara
as Lucy

Harry Dean Stanton
as Amon

Lyle Lovett
as Bartender

Mary Steenburgen
as Katherine

Ted Danson

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Critic Reviews for The Open Road

All Critics (7) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (2) | Rotten (5)

A screenplay that feels written by numbers, but excellent performances make it deserve more attention than this late summer dump

Sep 3, 2009 | Rating: C | Full Review…

Amy Nicholson
Boxoffice Magazine
Top Critic
The Open Road is no Grand Prix winner, but it's no six-car pileup either. It's a low-key road movie that doesn't stray far from the very, very beaten path.

Sep 3, 2009 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Michael Ordoña
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic
Despite its dependable cast, this ponderous road movie remains stuck in the slow lane.

Sep 1, 2009

Michael Rechtshaffen
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic
Entirely predictable but surprisingly involving.

Sep 1, 2009

Joe Leydon
Variety
Top Critic
An earnestly acted film with a movie-of-the-week vibe, it's watchable but too slow-moving -- and far too predictable -- to be entirely engaging.

Dec 11, 2009 | Rating: 2/4

Mike Scott
Times-Picayune
The picture contains a few inspired moments of antagonism and redemption, but it's hard to get energized about a feature film that positions Timberlake in a leading role. The movie practically begs for more Bridges.

Nov 19, 2009 | Rating: C- | Full Review…

Brian Orndorf
DVDTalk.com
plays like a familiar checklist

Nov 17, 2009 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

Norm Schrager
Filmcritic.com

View All Critic Reviews (7)

Audience Reviews for The Open Road

Sep 09, 2011

Touching story. Really good actors, for the most part. Jeff Bridges makes it all completely worth while, in any case.

Cynthia S Super Reviewer
Jul 13, 2011

You wouldn't think a movie with Jeff Bridges, Justin Timberlake, Mary Steenburgen, and the beautiful Kate Mara would be so dull. None of theses people give a horrible performance, there's just really nothing there. It tries to be an evolving drama, but it fails in that sense. It tries to be humorous in sections, and it fails at that too. The story is pretty typical. Carlton Garrett(Justin Timberlake) is the son of baseball great Kyle Garrett(Jeff Bridges). They haven't talked for awhile, but since Carls mom is having medical issues and wants to see Kyle; Carl has to go get him. Carl also brings along his ex-girlfriend now friend, who is contemplating marrying another guy, Carl and Lucy's(Kate Mara) relationship isn't very believable either. Overall the movie is watchable, just nothing special or of particular interest. Easily forgettable.

Melvin W Super Reviewer
Feb 11, 2011

This film is quite downplayed however interesting and lighthearted the subject matter may be. This film's problem stems from it being way too quiet and relaxed. There's no jumps, no feverish passion, even the one physical altercation in the film seems lazy and strained when attempting to give the film some life. Good plot, but delivered in the form of a whisper so quiet you couldn't even hear it.

Greg A Super Reviewer
Dec 19, 2010

It's too bad that everything in the movie is awful because I really like the people involved here.

Andrew F Super Reviewer