BOUNDARIES

US, 2018, 104 minutes, Colour.

Vera Farmiga, Christopher Plummer, Lewis Mac Dougall, Christopher Lloyd, Yahya Abdul- Mateen II, Kristin Schaal, Bobby Cannavale, Peter Fonda, Dolly Wells.

Directed by Shana Feste.

Boundaries is a different kind of road film, some serious underlying themes, but much of it played for comedy. It has a very strong cast in the lead roles as well as support, like Christopher Lloyd and Peter Fonda.

The initial focus is on a mother and 14-year-old son, Vera Farmiga and Lewis McDougall, who have to leave a nursing home in the north-west and travel south to California for the mother to meet up with her rather carefree, more than carefree, father, a drug dealer. He is played with tongue in cheek comic touch by Christopher Plummer.

The film is an emotional journey for the mother, having to come to terms with her strange in a strange father, her son wanting to meet his actual father, Bobby Cannavale.

Some picaresque adventures, a collection of some odd characters, and some focus on contemporary family issues.

1. The title? In relationship to family? Going out of bounds?
2. The American settings, the North Western states and scenery, homes, workplaces, institutions, the drive south, Oregon, California, Sausalito, San Francisco, Los Angeles? The musical score?
3. Laura’s story? Seen in therapy, nerves, interactions with the therapist, concealment? The background of her collecting dogs and caring for them? At home, with Henry, his problems, the obscene drawings, his being expelled? The interview with the principal and the sketch? Not answering her father’s phone calls? Finally answering, going to see him, his place in the home, his impositions on her, the story of his terminal cancer, her believing him though wary? His plan and the travel? Contact with her sister? The plans for the trip, the discussions with Sophia, the birthday party plans, the white Tiger?
4. Henry, his age, relationship with his mother, his aunt, the obscene drawings? Expelled? His absent father? Meeting his grandfather? The preparation for the trip?
5. Jack, the past, absence from his daughters, his treatment, Laura and her resentment, her telling her story, going over it with her father, challenge to him, condemning him? Her getting out, marrying young, having Henry, her husband leaving her, his alleged chronic fatigue, the divorce?
6. The road trip, Los Angeles the destination, Jack to live with his daughter?
7. The revelation of the drug dealing, Jack confiding in Henry, asking him to help? The sale to the Buddhist monks?
8. The examdple of grooming by an adult, manipulating the younger, leading to corruption? Even with Henry complying, saying that he liked the drug dealing?
9. The visit on the way, Stanley as an old friend, the art, the hospitality, Jed and his disability? The drug deals?
10. The detoured to Leonard, the drug dealing, his background, seductive, the night with the Laura, her reaction? Henry questioning his father, finding Leonard not interested in him?
11. Meeting his friend, Peter Fonda, the reminiscences, the attempted hold up by his nephew?
12. On the road, Laura and the truth about the drugs, throwing them out, the police car, collecting the drugs, her being caught and the heavy fines and payment? Jack paying?
13. The arrival in Los Angeles, JoJo and her welcome, her personality, her apartment, reaction to her father?
14. Laura and Henry, the dogs, the return flight? Serg looking after the dogs in her absence, meeting her, the promise of the date?
15. Jack turning up again, wanting to stay with his family?
16. An ordinary family, ups and downs? The background of the drug dealing and moral issues? Family, boundaries, reconciliation?