Review of The Key to Reserva (2007) by Paul Z — 08 Aug 2008

The Trip To Bountiful is an unexpectedly interesting piece of drama genuinely portraying the battle of the age groups.

Geraldine Page masterfully plays an old woman who is determined to outwit her bossy daughter-in-law so that she can visit her childhood home. Her portrait of this elder is a fusion of desperation, wisdom, and all but emotion being diluted by time. There is a lot of shrewd spontaneity in her performance that challenges her co-stars. Carlin Glynn provokingly takes the part of the imposition of the succeeding generation, an interfering, self-consumed woman Page puts up with only for the sake of her son, Glynnâ??s broodingly compliant husband, played by a very likable young John Heard.

The script is exceptional in its unfussiness, as all the narrative obstructions to Pageâ??s fraught yearning to replenish herself with a nostalgic visit to her old home of Bountiful donâ??t seem to phase her. This is a touching recognition of the seasoned nature of many elderly people, as Page, despite how miserable it must be to be intimidated by someone thirty years younger than you into remaining in their apartment passing away the time in a chair and a window, for the most part alone, as we first see her in the film, and to reminisce about the bygone times and lost relatives, is beyond the sort of anger and frustration that would set a younger person in a rut. This, however, is merely my twenty-year-old male opinion, though I would say that is a testament to the effect of the movie.

Beautiful Rebecca DeMornay creates a wonderful character, a sensitive young woman who meets Page by happenstance and projects a wonderfully virginal, serene presence. She opens Page up, just as Richard Bradfordâ??s humble, taurine middle-aged sheriff does. The Trip To Bountiful is not a brilliant film. Itâ??s simply an enjoyable and engrossing piece of work.