1985
Director: Peter Masterson
Writer: Horton Foote
Lead Actors: Gerald Page, John Heard, Carlin Glynn
The Trip to Bountiful is yet another heart-warming, feel-good road trip movie that leaves viewers with a sense of longing.
The story follows an old woman’s journey to revisit her small, rural Texas hometown after living with her son and his wife in Houston. After “running away”, the woman meets several people who help make the trip happen in order to fulfill her last wish before she dies.
I must say this isn’t the kind of movie I’d pick to watch on any given night but it was pretty sweet. The storyline was pretty straightforward. Nothing too special. And the characters made the story progress.
As for the feeling provoked throughout the movie, longingness for the past was the most prevalent. This is an emotion everyone is accustomed to and this movie really hits the nail on the head with it. And with death approaching for the woman, Mrs. Watts, it creates a dire need to regress to the past.
Overall, I found the characters slightly annoying and over-emotional. It was to the point where, instead of feeling heartfelt, it seemed a bit more comedic. That being said, I don’t think the acting was bad, maybe just not my tempo but I can understand why it won the best actress at the Academy’s. Just in my opinion-was not my favorite.
As for the set design and costume, both aspects fit the time and didn’t create any substantial feelings for me. Which like I said before in my review of Little Miss Sunshine, is a good thing.
After watching and looking at all the nominations/awards this movie was given, I honestly cannot see where the hype is coming from. It was good, don’t get me wrong, but not astonishing. I think this just calls for me to rewatch it at a later date.
A Friend of Film 