Starz / Anchor Bay / 2009 / 90 mins / Rated PG-13
Blu-ray Release Date: 11-17-09
Reviewed on 11-14-09

Aside from being one of this country's top recording artists, Justin Timberlake also happens to be one of the few singers who can actually act.  Not only a testament to his acting skills—but his ability to pull off comedy, Timberlake is one of Saturday Night Lives most prolific hosts.  For some reason, however, his talents have yet to fully transcend to movies.

In “The Open Road”, Timberlake plays Carlton Garrett -- a minor-leaguer unsure of his future as he’s forced to track down his estranged father, (played by Jeff Bridges) a legendary ball player, just when his mother (played by Mary Steenburgen) is about to go in for a serious operation.

Billed as a dramedy, “The Open Road” aims to pull at the heartstrings while tickling the funny bone.  Sadly, this paint-by-the-numbers melodrama has a tough time getting going despite the best intentions of an all-star cast.

At an MSRP at $34.98 (but easily found for under $25), this Blu-ray release seems destined for rental status before ending up in the bargain liquidation bins.
 

Perennially dependable Bridges does what he can with the material, trying his best to elevate the former big leaguer from the dugout of clichés... but sadly ends up hitting more fouls than home runs.  Despite the leaden script, it’s still good to see Bridges back in the lead category as opposed to many of the supporting roles he’s taken these past few years.

Timberlake is charming as his character sets off on a road-trip reconciliation after he somehow manages to persuade his absentee father to make the trek from Ohio to Texas in a red SUV that serves as some kind of grand therapy bus ride across the Midwest.

Written and directed by Michael Meredith, son of gridiron legend Don Meredith, it’s obvious the material has autobiographical overtones... which is why I found it a little surprising -- if not disappointing -- the film wasn’t more engaging.

Also confounding... is trying to determine what exactly it was about the material that somehow managed to attract the incredibly gifted cast... including Kate Mara (playing Timberlake’s girlfriend), Harry Dean Stanton, Lyle Lovett and Ted Danson!

Despite the film’s many flaws, Timberlake and Bridges do manage to connect, both with chemistry and in the film’s earnest resolution.

VIDEO
The 1080p, 2.39:1 aspect ratio image utilizes an MPEG-4 AVC codec.  For an indie, the production values are outstanding.  Colors are vibrant, scenery pops -- particularly in the many road sequences.
 
AUDIO
The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track delivers serviceable listening pleasure.  The dialogue is crisp and measured, the limited standard crowd scenes during the ballpark sequences, unremarkable.  There’s little here to complain about, and little to crow about .
 
EXTRAS
· Behind the Scenes of The Open Road
· Audio Commentary feature writer/director Michael Meredith and Jeff Bridges

MY SAY
It’s not so much that the film is bad, it’s just not very good.  For the curious, this may be one Open Road you only go down once.