AniInterview Sorry, this movie sucks

Rijndri Load of rubbish!!

Curapedi I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Haven Kaycee It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

Polaris_DiB This is what is known as a "mid-sized movie", full of recognizable, but good, character actors, engaging dialog, strong intimacy, and no need to dazzle and impact a viewpoint of the audience. As that, it is perfect.The plot involves four generations of the Lair family, a kooky great-grandfather who deals with his impending death by thinking up alternative funerals, a grandfather who has been missing for decades due to a history of alcoholism and thievery, a son who "just wants to be normal" (we always know how well that works in family-driven films...), and a grandson who wants to go along for the ride because it will be fun. Once the grandfather (Walken) comes home, the great-grandfather makes some plans... only he has to die to make sure his progenitors will carry it through. Enter a road-trip, some spice-of-life, and a generous heaping of self-discovery, and voila, you get the prototype for this film.I think what's interesting about this movie is that it's full of dazzling panoramic long-shots of New Mexican sunsets, and yet in those shots maintains a close intimacy with the characters. Intimacy is the defining word in every case for this movie, as even when the characters are trying their darnedness to reject their family, their words bleed a need to be together. And they all know it.This movie isn't the type to last on the conscious of many viewers because it's so quiet and devoted, but it has strong sticking power to those few who really enjoy its color and colorful characters.--PolarisDiB

imdb-3022 Two legendary actors and two young talents represent four generations in a quirky story worthy of their performances. This movie must have been misplaced or mispromoted, because it seems to have come out of nowhere. It has humor, grace and heart, with smart dialog and extraordinary acting, particularly by Christopher Walken and (of course) Michael Caine. And it's got some great laughs, especially when Glenne Headly's around. Probably the only thing wrong with this movie is its highly forgettable name. It deserves something more compelling to sum up its story.If you like this, see "Last Orders," also with Michael Caine, which has a related premise.

pnitschke1 Everything about this movie is perfect. I cared about each character as soon as I was introduced to them. The scenes flow masterfully. Each nuance (Henry's drumming; Jason's echoing Henry's drumming; Jason's sigh when Henry starts drumming again before he even gets settled in bed) seems magically real and believably natural. I felt I knew them intimately.The only time I usually watch a movie a 2nd time is for clarity. This movie I watched 6 times. Unprecedented for me. It was just such a pleasure to observe these people interacting; all puns intended.Bravo!

TxMike This simple movie focuses on the 4 generations of the men in the Lair family. It opens with 3 of them -- great grandfather Henry (Michael Caine), father Jason (Josh Lucas), and son Zach (cute little Jonah Bobo). Only the grandfather, Turner (Christopher Walken) is missing. We realize this when he shows up, the first time he has been seen in 30 years. While Jason wants some answers, Turner just refers to that as ancient history and wants to talk about today. I have never been disappointed in a role of Christopher Walken's, and this one is not exception. While all the actors are adequate, Walken is the one who makes the movie interesting, these 4 generations of Lair man trying to be a family again. Glenne Hedley has a whimsical role as a Danish nanny caring for Henry. Worth a watch.SPOILERS. Turner had been in prison for theft and when he shows up everyone assumes he has been released. But he was in a hospital for dialysis from kidney failure and he just walked out, and planned to stop and see his family on the way to a spot near the Mexico border. But his travel was delayed when old Henry dies suddenly, leaves a handwritten will, and instructions for the other 3 to take his ashes (along with the dog's) on a road trip to scatter at various places, as a requirement for his will to be valid. This reunites father and son and, Jason's limp wasn't really from an auto accident when he was young, instead his dad, Turner, a former drunk, had thrown him from some stairs. Turner wanted to get back to a particular cliff near Mexico where his son had been conceived, and died in the car right after his son drove him there.