Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageAround the Bend (2004)
Director: Jordan Roberts
Movie review
From Time Out London
‘Secondhand Lions’ stars Michael Caine and Josh Lucas reunite for another touchy-feely family generations drama with barely a woman in sight. As Jason (Lucas) tends to his young son Zach and his dying grandfather Henry (Caine), his estranged father Turner (Christopher Walken) comes knocking. Henry’s will demands that the three take a road trip to Albuquerque via appointed branches of his favourite restaurant, KFC. Thus life-changing conversations are held over a chicken leg and an urn, and it’s this juxtaposition of the ordinary and extraordinary that’s the nub of the film’s humour. But while genial, the comedy rarely packs a punch, doling out predictable asides to the tune of perky incidental music. Delayed moments of exposition may have been intended to create mystery, but the resulting lack of tension places the onus of entertainment on patchy dialogue and performances. Thank heavens, then, for Walken’s magnetic portrait of a man utterly broken by the death of his wife, an unseen figure who, in the film’s surprisingly moving finale, proves to be the most crucial character of all.Author: AS
Time Out London Issue 1809: April 20-27 2005
Cast & crew
Director: Jordan Roberts
Producer: Elliot Lewitt, Julie Kirkham
Cast: Christopher Walken, Josh Lucas, Michael Caine, Jonah Bobo, Glenne Headly full cast
Rated: 15
Duration: 84 mins
UK Release: Apr 22 2005
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Has David Cronenberg turned tame?
Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?
The 10 worst date movies
Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made
Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films
Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas
10 unlikely badboy biopics
Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects
Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'
The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing
Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day
Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing
What do you think?
Post your review now