This is a rather silly, inconsistent and unconvincing piece of fluff. And yet, despite this, it is still very watchable and interesting.
The plot, is quite convoluted and ever-changing. In fact, it's really secondary at best in the film. Because of this, I really want to explore the acting and writing and direction. This was Jessica Tandy's last film and she shows amazing vigor for a woman in the last months of her life. Her character is silly, but she infuses it with a lot of sentimentality and charm--and you can't help but like her. I also like her son as well as some of the VERY quirky characters you meet along the way. Graham Greene is perhaps the most charming car thief and nut-case, and the Indian-born small town sheriff is really pretty funny (though difficult to believe in rural Georgia). As for Bridget Fonda, she is okay in the film, but is clearly upstaged by Tandy.
The journey, as handled by director Mehta, is slow and gorgeously framed. I have loved all the other movies I've so far seen from this director and look forward to seeing more. Even when the material is weak, her skill is quite evident.
By the way, as I mentioned, the plot is a silly and muddled thing. Early in the film, Fonda says she no longer eats beef as she feels sorry for the poor cows and Tandy states that she NEVER eats meat. Later, they are sitting in a restaurant chowing down on cheeseburgers--sloppy touches like this are unforgivable for the writers.
The plot, is quite convoluted and ever-changing. In fact, it's really secondary at best in the film. Because of this, I really want to explore the acting and writing and direction. This was Jessica Tandy's last film and she shows amazing vigor for a woman in the last months of her life. Her character is silly, but she infuses it with a lot of sentimentality and charm--and you can't help but like her. I also like her son as well as some of the VERY quirky characters you meet along the way. Graham Greene is perhaps the most charming car thief and nut-case, and the Indian-born small town sheriff is really pretty funny (though difficult to believe in rural Georgia). As for Bridget Fonda, she is okay in the film, but is clearly upstaged by Tandy.
The journey, as handled by director Mehta, is slow and gorgeously framed. I have loved all the other movies I've so far seen from this director and look forward to seeing more. Even when the material is weak, her skill is quite evident.
By the way, as I mentioned, the plot is a silly and muddled thing. Early in the film, Fonda says she no longer eats beef as she feels sorry for the poor cows and Tandy states that she NEVER eats meat. Later, they are sitting in a restaurant chowing down on cheeseburgers--sloppy touches like this are unforgivable for the writers.