This is a road movie, I guess add it to the 450 made in the past 25 years, so perhaps people are tired of the genre. But I found it funny in more than a few spots. Not for everyone, obviously, but give it a chance, if you're in a risky, open minded mood.
55 Reviews
heady topic, fluff movie
ferguson-65 July 2018
Greetings again from the darkness. One of the more recent cinematic trends has been stories involving an adult child facing the plight of caring for an elderly parent. Some have chosen the comedic route, while others lean towards the all-too-real burden carried by care-givers. Writer-director Shana Feste (COUNTRY STRONG, 2010) continues her streak of tolerable fluff in this tale of a stressed single mother raising a challenging teenager while also dealing with daddy issues, and the octogenarian daddy at the source.
The film opens with said stressed mother Laura Jaconi (played by Vera Farmiga) in the midst of a therapy session as she talks through those long-simmering daddy issues ... and we get the feeling these same discussions have occurred numerous times over the years. As an actress, Ms. Farmiga is at her best in frazzled mode, and here she's a perfect fit. Her son Hoyt/Henry (Lewis McDougall, who was so good in A MONSTER CALLS) is a social misfit at his school, thanks in part to his mostly unwelcome and quite vivid artwork depicting faculty (and others) in various unclothed states. When he is expelled, private school becomes the best alternative, and Laura's need for cash coincides with her estranged father's (Christopher Plummer) simultaneous expulsion from his retirement center ... for morality reasons.
Daughter Laura has her dad listed as "Don't Pick Up" on her cell phone, and we understand before her that he is a rascal with a criminal streak. He even serves up an extremely rare pedophile joke - at the expense of his grandson. Laura's ongoing challenges are intensified when circumstances require her to drive her and her son cross country in a classic Rolls Royce that never comes close to blending in with the surroundings. The purpose of the road trip is so the father/grandfather can make secretive pot-selling trips along the way. This allows for cameos from such recognizable folks as Peter Fonda, Christopher Lloyd and Bobby Cannavale, the latter of which is Laura's ex-husband and biological father of her son.
Adding to the frenzy is Laura's commitment to her real lot in life - that of serial animal rescuer. Dogs are EVERYWHERE throughout the film - to the point that her father labels her the Pied Piper of mange. These type of interactions, along with the ruse of adult diapers and a bow and arrow sequence keep the film on the verge of slapstick; however, we can never accept that we are supposed to get a comedic kick out of Laura's too-much-to-handle lot, since it's mostly depressing.
Kristen Schaal as Laura's sister and insecure California goofball is always a welcome addition to any film, and Yahva Abdul-Mateen II brings a nice touch to one of the few characters we'd like to get to know better. Lousy childhood memories connected to present-day adult troubles just don't combine for effective humor in the light that the filmmaker seems to be aiming for. Though well-acted, a grown woman still in need of daddy's approval is just a bit too predictable and too much of a downer to work.
The film opens with said stressed mother Laura Jaconi (played by Vera Farmiga) in the midst of a therapy session as she talks through those long-simmering daddy issues ... and we get the feeling these same discussions have occurred numerous times over the years. As an actress, Ms. Farmiga is at her best in frazzled mode, and here she's a perfect fit. Her son Hoyt/Henry (Lewis McDougall, who was so good in A MONSTER CALLS) is a social misfit at his school, thanks in part to his mostly unwelcome and quite vivid artwork depicting faculty (and others) in various unclothed states. When he is expelled, private school becomes the best alternative, and Laura's need for cash coincides with her estranged father's (Christopher Plummer) simultaneous expulsion from his retirement center ... for morality reasons.
Daughter Laura has her dad listed as "Don't Pick Up" on her cell phone, and we understand before her that he is a rascal with a criminal streak. He even serves up an extremely rare pedophile joke - at the expense of his grandson. Laura's ongoing challenges are intensified when circumstances require her to drive her and her son cross country in a classic Rolls Royce that never comes close to blending in with the surroundings. The purpose of the road trip is so the father/grandfather can make secretive pot-selling trips along the way. This allows for cameos from such recognizable folks as Peter Fonda, Christopher Lloyd and Bobby Cannavale, the latter of which is Laura's ex-husband and biological father of her son.
Adding to the frenzy is Laura's commitment to her real lot in life - that of serial animal rescuer. Dogs are EVERYWHERE throughout the film - to the point that her father labels her the Pied Piper of mange. These type of interactions, along with the ruse of adult diapers and a bow and arrow sequence keep the film on the verge of slapstick; however, we can never accept that we are supposed to get a comedic kick out of Laura's too-much-to-handle lot, since it's mostly depressing.
Kristen Schaal as Laura's sister and insecure California goofball is always a welcome addition to any film, and Yahva Abdul-Mateen II brings a nice touch to one of the few characters we'd like to get to know better. Lousy childhood memories connected to present-day adult troubles just don't combine for effective humor in the light that the filmmaker seems to be aiming for. Though well-acted, a grown woman still in need of daddy's approval is just a bit too predictable and too much of a downer to work.
So predictable, and you'll love it all the same
harry_tk_yung16 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Road movie is a genre that will never die. You may think that you've had enough. Then, once in a while, a good one comes along and you'll fall in love with it all over again. "Boundaries", for example.
The travelers here comprise three generations: a grandfather just kicked out of his institution for pushing marijuana; a 12-year-old grandson just kicked out of school for drawing everybody he knows in nude (from imagination, of course); in the middle is smart, good-looking divorced mother who is always flustering at the verge of hysteria. Add to that an assortment of dogs and cats, both right from the start of the journey and picked up along the way. Not a very appealing bunch, it seems. But predictably, you'll become very fond of them at the end of the journey (well, perhaps not the cats and dogs).
The above introduction of the main characters basically sets up the plot line. Laura (Vera Farmiga) who lives in Seattle, needing the money to send his son Henry (Lewis MacDougall) to a private art school in L.A., seeks help from his almost-estranged father Jack (Christopher Plummer). The old man sees this as a heaven-sent opportunity of a chauffeured (Laura) weed delivery route, using various camouflage including adult diapers. He also loses no time at all enlisting his grandson as a "partner". He does indicate though that this is only a temporary arrangement and he will help to get Henry into a "better project", such as art.
Although everything is quite predictable i.e. no spoilers of any significance, it best not to go into details but rather let you enjoy the journey as things and situations unfold. Sprinkled with slightly amused chuckles to laugh-out-loud hilarity, and everything in between, this is a pleasurable ride.
Expectedly, the charm of the movie comes from the quality of the cast. Ever since the dashing Captain Von Trapp in "The sound of music" (1965) Plummer has never missed a step. In his eighties, still dashingly handsome in "Boundaries", he delight the audience once again, now with a totally trashy character, and still make them fall in love with him! Farmiga has always been underrated and should have landed a major role since her Best Supporting Oscar nomination in "Up in the air" (2009). Playing opposite Plummer here, she not only holds her own but makes you admire her pitch-perfect control as it is so easy to go overboard with Laura. As well, the chemistry between the two of them is excellent. Young MacDougall certainly proves his worth here in bringing out the balance between awkwardness and maturity in Henry, all with an easy, laid-back charm.
There are others. Although just a little more than a cameo, Peter Fonda is a joy to watch as Jack's old friend and weed customer. Bobby Cannavale whom you will perhaps remember best as the clueless but lovable husband of Ant-man's ex-wife, is fun to see as Laura's ex-husband here. Kristen Schaal, as Laura's sister in L.A., also has her moments.
For this movie, I could employ an alternative, but overused summary line: a gem.
The travelers here comprise three generations: a grandfather just kicked out of his institution for pushing marijuana; a 12-year-old grandson just kicked out of school for drawing everybody he knows in nude (from imagination, of course); in the middle is smart, good-looking divorced mother who is always flustering at the verge of hysteria. Add to that an assortment of dogs and cats, both right from the start of the journey and picked up along the way. Not a very appealing bunch, it seems. But predictably, you'll become very fond of them at the end of the journey (well, perhaps not the cats and dogs).
The above introduction of the main characters basically sets up the plot line. Laura (Vera Farmiga) who lives in Seattle, needing the money to send his son Henry (Lewis MacDougall) to a private art school in L.A., seeks help from his almost-estranged father Jack (Christopher Plummer). The old man sees this as a heaven-sent opportunity of a chauffeured (Laura) weed delivery route, using various camouflage including adult diapers. He also loses no time at all enlisting his grandson as a "partner". He does indicate though that this is only a temporary arrangement and he will help to get Henry into a "better project", such as art.
Although everything is quite predictable i.e. no spoilers of any significance, it best not to go into details but rather let you enjoy the journey as things and situations unfold. Sprinkled with slightly amused chuckles to laugh-out-loud hilarity, and everything in between, this is a pleasurable ride.
Expectedly, the charm of the movie comes from the quality of the cast. Ever since the dashing Captain Von Trapp in "The sound of music" (1965) Plummer has never missed a step. In his eighties, still dashingly handsome in "Boundaries", he delight the audience once again, now with a totally trashy character, and still make them fall in love with him! Farmiga has always been underrated and should have landed a major role since her Best Supporting Oscar nomination in "Up in the air" (2009). Playing opposite Plummer here, she not only holds her own but makes you admire her pitch-perfect control as it is so easy to go overboard with Laura. As well, the chemistry between the two of them is excellent. Young MacDougall certainly proves his worth here in bringing out the balance between awkwardness and maturity in Henry, all with an easy, laid-back charm.
There are others. Although just a little more than a cameo, Peter Fonda is a joy to watch as Jack's old friend and weed customer. Bobby Cannavale whom you will perhaps remember best as the clueless but lovable husband of Ant-man's ex-wife, is fun to see as Laura's ex-husband here. Kristen Schaal, as Laura's sister in L.A., also has her moments.
For this movie, I could employ an alternative, but overused summary line: a gem.
Plummer can't save this wreck.
ianrogers21 June 2018
This is a movie?
wobrie420 June 2018
Sad Day for the other actors and crew
nic127-713-40210422 June 2018
It's sad that the other actors and crew will not have many viewing this movie! Honestly it really is horrible anyway. It's not funny like claimed. Plot is boring and you find yourself just wanting it to be over so you can be the first to the bathroom
What's wrong with people?
w-bogdan21 October 2018
Dont Waste Your Time Or Money
laurenannino22 June 2018
One of the most contrived, slow paced, boring movies I have seen in a long time. Christopher Plummer as always is a excellent actor and does a good job in this. However jokes about being old are only funny for so long. Vera Farminga is passable, as usual shes nothing spectacular. The rest of the cast however was absolutely atrocious and I could not find a single redeemable thing about any of their performances. In a day and age with so many good indie films one must wonder why companies continue producing trash.
A lovely trip
Gordon-1131 July 2019
Worst Movie Of the Year
gory04522 June 2018
Script written by child robot
M0vieL0ver24 June 2018
I agree with the other movie review site top critics, which is overly generous giving it 42%. No one can write in Hollywood anymore. Scripts are drone and lifeless and immature. Not creative at all.
We need a new Hollywood. We need new ideas.
Redford was smart to move out of LA, but even his studio isn't working. Not far enough away?
We need FRESH minds and writers, mostly who are not childishly pushing some ridiculous agenda.
We want entertainment. Not boring, predictable robot writing.
Redford was smart to move out of LA, but even his studio isn't working. Not far enough away?
We need FRESH minds and writers, mostly who are not childishly pushing some ridiculous agenda.
We want entertainment. Not boring, predictable robot writing.
Healing for my broken heart
dreckley-129 June 2018
My father passed away 10 years ago. He was a difficult man to walk this earth with. This movie made me feel that others walked the same walk as I did with their father. It made me feel less alone in this world. Thank you for sharing your story.
Over acted. Predictable.
dawnmhudspeth25 June 2018
Save your money
mariruss-7942825 June 2018
eh
greenwagonlilly24 June 2018
Christopher Plummer is always wizard, forever and ever. I like Vera Farmiga, although I don't think this script used her as well as some of her other recent work.
But Joey just seemed way too much like he was a child rapist, so idk. Maybe skip this one.
But Joey just seemed way too much like he was a child rapist, so idk. Maybe skip this one.
Great Flick
alconardnm21 July 2018
Just saw Boundaries. It felt like putting on your most comfortable clothes, relaxing and being taken on an enjoyable journey. A very well written script that is witty and honest. I laughed out loud over and over. I identified with the characters and thoroughly enjoyed the emotions that the film let me experience. The unfortunate remarks made by Peter Fonda that has negatively caused such bad press is a drag. I would highly recommend watching this treasure of a film you will not be disappointed. Don't miss it. It is REAL in every sense of the word.
Don't waste your money
mona_cartmell23 June 2018
Terrible
pctech-5558223 June 2018
Adult diapers
jessegrodgers29 June 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I really wanted to like this movie because Vera Farmiga is fricken hot. But I could not like this thing . I mean how long can you talk about an adult diaper being full in a movie . Also did not find it fun to have a plot making fun of mental illness in it . Also a driving heartfelt movie , yep you guessed it ran out of gas... How many times has that plot point been used. This movie is by far very predictable , poorly written and plan junk . I mean bad grandpa was a better cross country movie and that is saying something . Can I get my $8 back for the ticket . I knew I should have stayed home .
Touching and Funny
daniellethirty17 October 2018
Same old same old thing same old Hollywood crap
sjoe-4293529 June 2018
This movie theme has already been made several times in several different modes. It's always the same thing. OLD PEOPLE ARE FUNNY! Especially old people who deal drugs. hahahahahahaaaaaaaa yeah sure. That's hilarious, and so original.
A comedy without comedy
jobachamberlain27 June 2018
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