The Open Road – More Like a Bumpy Road?

Alright folks, so let’s chat about “The Open Road,” shall we? Now, you’re probably thinking, “Ah, another road trip flick?” Well, yeah, but this one’s got a bit of a twist. Directed by Michael Meredith, it tries to hit you with the feels, and trust me, it aims for your heart like a Swedish summer rain that just creeps up on you when you’re least expecting it.

With Jeff Bridges as the dad, sort of a broken-down baseball star, and Justin Timberlake as his somewhat lost son, you’d expect a knockout performance. Bridges brings his usual gravitas—he could read a phone book and I’d clap—but Timberlake, well, let’s just say I think he should probably stick to singing or maybe… SNL? You know, those skits where he dresses up in bizarre costumes.

Oh, and Kate Mara’s in it too. She’s the girlfriend who’s caught up in this father-son drama. She’s a bit of fresh air, like that first sip of a cold beer on a Stockholm summer evening. But the script doesn’t give her much room to do more than look slightly concerned most of the time.

Now, here’s the thing. As much as I love a good trek down memory lane, the film doesn’t quite know if it’s coming or going. It feels a bit like being on the E4 during rush hour—a bit all over the place. Maybe that was the point? Life’s like that sometimes, I suppose.

Oh, speaking of roads, I remember a trip on the E20 with my old Saab. A friend and I were blasting Roxette, and wouldn’t you know, the engine starts making this noise that sounded like a marching band. Hilarity ensued, but, well, that’s a story for another day.

I reckon “The Open Road” is worth a watch, especially for Bridges. Just grab some popcorn, kick back, and don’t expect it to set the world alight. Sometimes, just going along for the ride is enough, even if it’s a bit of a bumpy ride.

Check the trailer below