Redwood Highway (2013) Reviews

• A touching and warm film that is well worth watching

  geek_tom2014-08-10

  Redwood Highway is a gem amongst the crass and loud movies of the multiplex. Filled with "real" people, and real emotions, this film takes you on a simple but profound journey that everyone who has a family can relate to. Shirley Knight is perfect in this role, playing her character's mix of stubbornness and drive in a way that ultimately makes you understand her on multiple levels. None of us are simple creatures, and the writers of this film did an excellent job of portraying the many facets we all have. It was great to see Tom Skerrit in a significant role- he has always been a favorite of mine. I would like to add that the film is beautifully shot as well. I have never been to Oregon, but the film makes it look simply breathtaking. I also found the dream/flashback sequences to be exceptionally well done; adding to the emotional weight of the story, without every distracting from it. Overall, if you enjoy a rich and rewarding story, filled with people you can relate to and care for, I can't recommend this movie enough. Enjoy!

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• Outstanding

  ruthie612014-05-03

  Excellent and moving movie! Loved it. It is about courage and facing our demons! If you are a Golden Indigo, you will 'Get' this movie! At the start of the film, which was written by Gary Lundgren and James Twyman and directed by Lundgren, Marie (Knight) is living in a seemingly comfortable retirement home in Oregon. But she's not a happy camper. Her son, Michael (James Le Gros), placed her there against her will, and although she's sociable, she's clearly sharper and more vigorous than many of the other residents. When Michael comes for a visit, he wants to make plans to take her to his daughter's wedding. Marie claims to disapprove of her granddaughter's fiancé — a drummer in a band — but she's also disgruntled by the family's treatment of her and she declines the wedding invitation. Marie then begins to have second thoughts, but she's a proud woman, and decides to make the 80-mile journey to the coast on her own.

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• Nice smaller movie of an aging woman asserting her independence.

  TxMike2015-03-20

  We found this movie on Netflix streaming movies. Shirley Knight is really good in this role. She is Marie Vaughn, living in a retirement community in Oregon. She has her wits about her and she usually takes daily walks in the community. She has an overprotective son who worries about her. Marie has a crisis of sorts when she become very judgemental of the plans her 22-yr-old granddaughter has to marry a man 12 years older. She is certain that she is making a big mistake, she knows she is too young to make a rational decision. As a result she refuses to attend the wedding, to the disappointment of her family. But Marie has her own memories of being young and in love, and decides on her own, no one else knows, that she will put on her backpack and her hiking shoes and walk to the coast where the outdoor wedding will be held in a few days. On the way she will visit a place that has special meaning for her. Her hike is not without difficulty, and one person she meets is Tom Skerritt as Pete. While Pete is open and friendly Marie is guarded and hesitant, but it is clear that they make a connection and we think they will probably see each other again. Nice character study and Knight is just perfect in her role.

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• Simple and enjoyable.

  MartinHafer2014-07-03

  While I wouldn't necessarily say you should rush out to see it, I did enjoy seeing Redwood Highway and think it's worth your time. It's just come out on DVD and I got my copy through Netflix. It's not the sort of film that has huge box office appeal, but it is very enjoyable and reminds me of one of my favorite Best Picture nominees last year, Nebraska. Shirley Knight is not a household name, but Miss Knight is a very familiar face. Additionally, she's been nominated for a lot of awards-- including twice for the Oscar. Here, she plays Marie Vaughn--an elderly woman who is incredibly hard-headed and who is refusing to retire gracefully. She also is a pain for her family, as her independence and strong opinions make her very difficult to say the least. When the film begins, Marie is living (quite against her will) in a retirement home when she receives a visit from her son. He invites her to her granddaughter's wedding and pig-headed Marie refuses to come-- mostly just to be ornery. She says that 22 is just too young to marry and she doesn't approve. However, after the granddaughter calls Marie and leaves her a very angry message, Marie has a change of heart. Well, it's not a complete change of heart--she will go to the wedding but on her terms. As for her terms, the nutty lady decides, without telling anyone, that she'll walk to the wedding and take a side trip to the sea shore! It's many miles and Marie isn't exactly a young girl--and the trip just seems ill-advised to say the least. What follows is a low-key but interesting adventure--much like The Straight Story or Nebraska. Nothing exactly earth-shattering occurs but Marie meets up with a variety of mostly nice people who help her on her trek. Mind you--Marie WON'T let anyone drive her to the wedding--this must be on her terms! Will she make it and what could possibly go wrong? I liked this film though I will quickly admit that it's not exactly the sort of film the average movie-goer would watch. There are no explosions, no insane plot twists nor any love interest. It's just a nice slice of life sort of a film where you meet a lot of interesting characters. I love this sort of 'little movie'--the type that just doesn't seem to care if it's a blockbuster or not--it just wants to entertain. And, entertaining this film certainly is.

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• All about a selfish old tramp

  rhondasmit2014-09-13

  I tried to like this movie but it simply wasn't working for me. The main character is completely unlikable, self-absorbed, and ungrateful, yet despite that throughout the movie she is treated like royalty. The supporting cast is like the people from a fashion magazine ad: Glossy but flat. ****SPOILERS**** Just about the only one I liked was Reuben; he wasn't any more believable (why would he be attracted to the young woman whose only remarkable feature was a big nose?), but he had little to say and he really could drum. The story is that of an old woman (Marie) who complains about living in a posh senior facility paid for by her son, and the impending wedding of her granddaughter. Because the old tramp disagrees with the granddaughter about marrying, and because she is a contrary person who needs constant attention, the old woman refuses to attend the ceremony and then takes off on foot to walk there. This hike is the main focus of the movie, but is interwoven with dream sequences that should explain the main character or her motivation but do nothing but alienate me. Apparently she married a sailor and got pregnant (or vice versa), was widowed shortly thereafter, and then slept around a lot, relying on her non-apparent charms for support. All this and a lot of rain dull even the remarkable scenery and decent photography. On the hike she is helped by a lot of people for no good reason. Possibly the main helpers are alternate futures she might have had; one a woodworking widower who runs a store (what if her husband had lived?), another a hardworking barkeep who puts up with the annoying woman even when she abuses her dog (what if she had worked for a living?). (If anyone did that to my dog, I would kick them out, not cover them with quilts.) Throughout the movie the main character remains self-absorbed and thinks everyone has to care about her and help her without ever giving anything back. There is no development, no growth. She is a user. In the end she manages to interrupt the wedding she was "boycotting" until she was no longer invited. Further annoying was that at her age she should have known to walk on the left shoulder of a road with oncoming traffic. Instead she endangers a trucker and others with her carelessness and stays on the right. Then (because in her self-important opinion "cats like her") she antagonizes a lion. She is given a fishing pole, although she clearly has no license, no idea how to fish, or clean one. If a protein meal were needed, give her a pack of jerky or slim jims. Her barfly behavior and drunken exploits show beyond a doubt how she spent her life; why her son is so supporting and concerned about his useless mother that he mobilizes a whole search and rescue operation escapes me. Only once she encounters a dangerous situation; I admit I was hoping that the movie would end there, with her collecting her comeuppance, but no such luck. This isn't one of those 'feisty senior does things her way' movies that make you cheer on the intrepid heroine.

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