The Open Road

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The Open Road

PG-13

2009

1h 30m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

29%

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7 Reviews

25%

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25,000+ Ratings

While playing minor league baseball in Texas, Carlton Garrett (Justin Timberlake) receives word from his grandfather (Harry Dean Stanton) that his mother, Katherine (Mary Steenburgen), needs a life-saving operation. When Garrett reaches the hospital, his mother refuses to undergo the surgery until Kyle (Jeff Bridges) -- Garrett's estranged, former-baseball star father -- is present. Garrett then travels to Ohio with his pal Lucy (Kate Mara) to convince his unreliable father to return home.

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Amy Nicholson

Boxoffice Magazine

Sep 3, 2009

C

A screenplay that feels written by numbers, but excellent performances make it deserve more attention than this late summer dump

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Michael Ordoña

Los Angeles Times

Sep 3, 2009

3/5

The Open Road is no Grand Prix winner, but it's no six-car pileup either. It's a low-key road movie that doesn't stray far from the very, very beaten path.

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Michael Rechtshaffen

The Hollywood Reporter

Sep 1, 2009

Despite its dependable cast, this ponderous road movie remains stuck in the slow lane.

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Mike Scott

Times-Picayune

Dec 11, 2009

2/4

An earnestly acted film with a movie-of-the-week vibe, it's watchable but too slow-moving -- and far too predictable -- to be entirely engaging.

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Brian Orndorf

DVDTalk.com

Nov 19, 2009

C-

The picture contains a few inspired moments of antagonism and redemption, but it's hard to get energized about a feature film that positions Timberlake in a leading role. The movie practically begs for more Bridges.

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Norm Schrager

Filmcritic.com

Nov 17, 2009

2/5

plays like a familiar checklist

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Dec 3, 2025

Funny in 1.5 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The worldwide gross is $19,716.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG-13 for Some Language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring Justin Timberlake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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steve d

@RT35616104 Jun 20, 2020

Starts out extremely slow, but the father and son chemistry really works and the film grows on you.

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Nov 11, 2016

It's not that there is no potential here, but ultimately this doesn't mine any new territory and the heart of it feels a little forced.

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Jul 10, 2014

Again very good movie

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Scott W

@RT82365565 Dec 30, 2013

Not a great movie... Bridges is good again... And you see that timber lake is a better actor now then back in 09

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Nov 14, 2013

I loved this movie. Well-acted and subtle. Not for the action/adventure crowd. but if you like nuance over the obvious, give it a try.

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Michael Meredith

Director

Jeff Bridges

Kyle

Justin Timberlake

Carlton Garrett

Kate Mara

Lucy

Harry Dean Stanton

Amon

Lyle Lovett

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Synopsis

While playing minor league baseball in Texas, Carlton Garrett (Justin Timberlake) receives word from his grandfather (Harry Dean Stanton) that his mother, Katherine (Mary Steenburgen), needs a life-saving operation. When Garrett reaches the hospital, his mother refuses to undergo the surgery until Kyle (Jeff Bridges) -- Garrett's estranged, former-baseball star father -- is present. Garrett then travels to Ohio with his pal Lucy (Kate Mara) to convince his unreliable father to return home.

Director: Michael Meredith
Producer: Justin Moore-Lewy, Charlie Mason, Michael Meredith, Jordan Foley, Laurie Foxx, David Schiff
Screenwriter: Michael Meredith
Distributor: Anchor Bay Entertainment
Production Co: Odd Lot Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Some Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 28, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 28, 2015
Runtime: 1h 30m

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