Around the Bend *** (2004, Christopher Walken, Josh Lucas, Michael Caine, Glenne Headly) – Classic Movie Review 5578

Writer/ director Jordan Roberts’s humorous 2004 road movie is inspired by the relationship between Roberts and the absentee, substance-using father he barely knew, Robert Stone Jordan, latterly an indie film director/producer.

It stars Christopher Walken as Turner Lair, Michael Caine as his father, archaeologist Henry Lair, Josh Lucas as his son Jason Lair, Jonah Bobo as his grandson Zach Lair, Glenne Headly as Katrina, and David Eigenberg as John.

Jason Lair (Lucas) is recently separated and living with his grandfather Henry (Caine) and his son Zach (Bobo) in Los Angeles. Jason’s father Turner (Walken) appears unexpectedly and inconveniently after years of absence. Henry plans to send his tribe on a VW bus trip to New Mexico to sort out their relationships, prompting the skeletons to come out of the family closet.

The irresistibly interesting cast and the good humour in the script help keep the quirky father-son relationships saga on the road in this unfairly little-seen movie. The role gives Walken a good chance to show off again his special ability to act a menacing and unpredictable character and it helps that he bears an uncanny resemblance to Robert Jordan physically too.

Caine, playing Walken’s father, is only ten years older.

RIP Glenne Headly (1955–2017).

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5578

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com