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The Open Road

Play trailer Poster for The Open Road PG-13 2009 1h 30m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
29% Tomatometer 7 Reviews 25% Popcornmeter 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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The Open Road

Critics Reviews

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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 Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review Michael Rechtshaffen The Hollywood Reporter Sep 1, 2009
Despite its dependable cast, this ponderous road movie remains stuck in the slow lane. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review Norm Schrager Filmcritic.com Nov 17, 2009
2/5
plays like a familiar checklist Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more steve d @RT35616104 Jun 20, 2020 Starts out extremely slow, but the father and son chemistry really works and the film grows on you. See more 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. See more Jul 10, 2014 Again very good movie See more 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 See more 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. See more Read all reviews
The Open Road

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Michael Meredith

Director

Jeff Bridges

Kyle

Justin Timberlake

Carlton Garrett

Kate Mara

Lucy

Harry Dean Stanton

Amon

Lyle Lovett

Hotel Bartender

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The Open Road

The Open Road (2009) View more photos

Movie Info

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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