Bonneville (2008) PG-13
Describing the Bonneville Salt Flats, in Utah, is not that much of a challenge.
Flat and white, for as far as the eye can see. It is that same description which largely applies to the 2006 movie of the same name, and subject of our featured What You Missed review this week.
But, just like those Salt Flats, it is in the flat, plain, expansiveness that Bonneville, the movie shines forth.
When I say shine, maybe it is fairer to say glimmer, or sparkle, because to suggest that Bonneville reaches such celestial proportions is probably a stretch. What is not a stretch though, is to say that it is a charming, sometimes witty, road buddy movie. And chick flick, to boot.
Road buddy movie. Chick flick. Sounds like Thelma and Louise, right? Wrong, very wrong. Bonneville is a pleasure in that it is a journey not only through the Wasatch front, and on into California, but the journey of losing a loved one. A journey we will all make at some point. And a journey brought to the screen by a filmmaker who saw no reason to 'spice' up the plot with junk.
Arvilla Holden (Jessica Lange) has just lost her travel-writer husband of 20 years, and while still grieving is hit by the double-whammy from her adult step-daughter; that as her father - Arvilla's husband - failed to update his will, she is to give up his ashes, or face losing the home they shared in Pocatello, Idaho.
And one more thing, the ashes need to be in Santa Barbara, California, in 10 days for his Memorial service. There is clearly no love lost between these two.
Her two best friends, Margene (Kathy Bates) and Carol (Joan Allen), rally around her, and talk her into handing over the ashes. As a final effort to somehow honor her husband's wish that she scatter his ashes, Arvilla decides that if the urn is to go to Santa Barbara, then she will take it herself. Having successfully cajoled her buddies into coming along, they set off for the airport in Salt Lake City in her husband's '66 Pontiac Bonneville, and a bit of post-loss fun.
It's about this point that we realise Arvilla has alternate plans. With devout Mormon Carol on one side and the less-than devout Margene on the other, the trip becomes a slow descent into chaos as Arvilla highjacks proceedings by deciding to drive to California, as the girls discover each other and themselves all over again despite each being on the wrong - or right, depending on your perspective - side of fifty.
Bonneville has something for everyone. It is charming enough to keep you involved for the whole 90 minutes, with interjections of humor, heart, and even some sweetly platonic romance between Margene and Submarine Commander-cum Trucker, Emmitt, played so very nicely by Tom Skerritt (who unbelievably turned 75 just the other day).
Importantly, while the descent into chaos mentioned above is central to the plot, this does not involve the relaxation of the moral code each woman clearly sees as an assumed part of their character. Rather, in a sweet and refreshing way, they re-explore their values, and emerge better for the experience - with a couple of harmless surprises along the way.
Bonneville is certainly tailored to the Baby Boomer market, as most will relate to its endearing threesome's feelings and experiences. There are no warnings to give, other than to say, young kids and teens will probably be asleep, or out playing the Wii within 10-15 minutes of this movie starting.
But let's be honest...is that really a bad thing?
Bonneville is available on DVD in the US, and currently playing in very limited release in Australia.
By Brett Stringer
