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Ever Heard of The Open Road with Justin Timberlake?

by Alex Billington
May 11, 2009

The reason why I'm asking that question in the title is because we all probably should have heard of this. Don't be worried, until today I didn't know much about The Open Road either, but I thought I'd introduce you to it. Anchor Bay just picked up the theatrical and home video rights to the "family dramady" written and directed by Michael Meredith (of Three Days of Rain previously). Jeff Bridges stars as a former baseball player, and Justin Timberlake as his estranged son. The two go on a road trip from Ohio to Houston to see Timberlake's mother, played by Mary Steenburgen, from which Bridges is also separated, in the hospital.

Although it's a very bad sign that this hasn't played at a single film festival over the last year since its been finished, it could still potentially be pretty good. At least it has a very interesting cast. The reason why I wanted to mention this is because I didn't know about it before today and, like plenty of previous films, I'll now check it out because of the cast. As with Timberlake's Alpha Dog in 2007, I probably wouldn't have taken an interest in that movie if it weren't for his involvement. And he's actually fairly good in that and it's a good movie (or so I thought). Anchor Bay's plan is to put this out in very limited release this summer.

Explore tags: Indies, Movie News

Fuelbot

Shoot me -- Timberlake doesn't suck as an actor. Not nearly as bad as most singers who transition to film do. He was easily one of the most interesting things about the mess that was Southland Tales.
Corey

I liked him in Alpha Dog. So sue me. :/
BahHumbug

Timberlake sucks as a musician, he is amazing as an entertainer (see SNL or his turn as the ESPY's host). I knew about this film for a while though. I'm going to start keeping a scorecard against the Firstshowing.net guys for fun now.
dan

uh, this will be a DEFINITE pass. there are too many great movies available to watch something like this that will be average at best.
Sam

#1 Could not agree more, Southland Tales was a disaster IMO, but Timberlake was enjoyable to watch all the way through.
Jmoney

is that kate mara?
birddog

#6 yes it is...there is this thing called imdb.com. You should check it out before you ask the question.
Blue Silver

Timberlake may sort of act---still HATE him though. He'll never be a movie star!
Corey

#8 True but he's more a movie star than you'll ever be. :/
LSP

Um...remind me again why we SHOULD have heard of this? I didn't know we were all a bunch of bubblegum chewing teenage girls that have no taste in music or movies.
katie

#10... actually, there are other actors besides jt in this movie. jeff bridges? anyway, i'm just excited for the release of the movie bc i was an extra and it actually sounded like it might be a decent family kinda movie. so maybe it's not a summer blockbuster, but somebody's gotta come in 10th place, right?
Sam

Justin actually was in my hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas around/on March 31, 2008. I have attached a link to the Corpus Christi Caller Times newspaper artice with a gallery with pictures. He plays a minor league player for the Corpus Christi Hooks. http://www.caller.com/news/2008/mar/31/justint/
SuicidalOptimist

I think people still have a hard time looking past "JT the NSYNC* singer". That's probably while most don't like to give him any credit. He was surprisingly convincing for me in Alpha Dog, but of course it's kinda hard to really shine next to people like Ben Foster, who is always amazing as a fucked up character. Southland Tales was crazy, over the top confusing, and pretty looney toons. But I was still very intrigued and watched it about 5 times now. And JT did a really good job, imo. I especially LOVED the part where he was singing "All These Things That I've Done" by the Killers. Of course, being obsessed with that song made me a liiiittle bit bias. =P Plus, Jeff Bridges is a badass. I will definitely give this one a shot.
Blue Silver

#9 Corey! Just telling the truth about Timberlake! You are just being stupid with your comment!