User Reviews

This is a great little film and I hope you all get a chance to see it. A woman whose life is falling apart gets into the back of a New York cab and tells the driver to "just drive". She falls asleep and wakes up on a highway in Pennsylvania. The cabbie is a guy who's life isn't any better and he uses her instructions to "just drive" as a means to easy money. That's the premise and the whole movie is spent on the road. Two people lost, desperate for something new. This movie really appealed to me from the get-go and there's so much to like about it. While we know exactly where the story is headed, the fun is all about getting there. It's an 'in-between' movie. This story of love unfolds slowly and it's refreshing to see a bond form gradually as opposed to the heightened whirlwind romances that dominate the rom-com genre. The lead actor, Sam Jaeger, also wrote and directed the film and the main actress is his real-life wife... and so the chemistry is solid between them. This is my type of romance story and I love when a movie leaves me with a massive smile... this one left me feeling really perked and as I said, getting to the end point was what the movie was all about. Well written, really well performed and beautifully shot throughout the vast stretch of emptiness between the east coast and west coast of America. Yay for this movie!

I don't write many reviews, but this movie deserved one. The characters feel very real. I find myself wanting to multitask during most movies, but I ended up glued to the screen watching the subtle changes of expression on the actors' faces that really brought it across.

I thought at first "oh, great, a grumpy woman gets cheated on, grabs a taxi, and they fall madly in love in two days, make out, and shack up by the end of it". Gag. But this movie actually showed a real, believable romance developing, with plenty of the naturally funny bits from the silly quirks most everyone turns out to have when you get to know them.

I usually prefer action movies with a bit of chemistry tossed in, but this was nice. It is a good cuddle on the couch, lazy rainy day movie that, while you won't get great quotes, will leave you with a good feeling at the end.

Take Me Home (2011)

When a movie makes you want to get on the road and see the country, it's doing something right. In classic storytelling fashion, we begin with some quick and disastrous events by two characters who haven't met. Their lives are in various state of ruin (emotional or actual) and when they meet--well, the sparks definitely do not fly.

But the story begins in earnest. And what is a short drive around New York transforms into the main idea of the movie. And of course the two have to find a way to get along, which involves slowly coming to understand each other mostly by letting their own old habits and presumptions fade away.

The leads are actually a married couple, Sam and Amber Jaeger, and Sam is the director and writer (and producer), so yes, it's a home brew movie. But it's shot with the high end Red digital camera and it feels fully professional. And more important, the acting by these two leads, who dominate the movie completely, is terrific. You feel where both of them are coming from, and when they change it makes sense.

The details of the story sometimes dip into obvious or slightly unbelievable zones. Every now and then the dialog is a hair off kilter. And maybe there could have been a slight shift in pace to keep the flow flowing. It's not a masterpiece, surely, but they know that, too. It doesn't have those kinds of ambitions.

What "Take Me Home" aims for is a light, believable sincerity, a sweetness that we all recognize and sometimes need, and which doesn't get too too sugary. And on that level it's a really enjoyable movie. And it really does make you want to hit the road.

Pleasantly surprised with the nice story about two strangers whose lives cross paths and they learn more about each other through some unexpected circumstances. Woot giving way anything, I can say my wife and I enjoyed the story and characters... Down to earth yet whimsically silly about how people respond to and develop an understanding about life and it's moments. Bravo, lovely little film. We would recommend this for anyone looking for a movie on a night in. It is a out of the way romantic comedy in a sweet way without the comedians but real folks. Never head of it but it came up on Amazon and thought we would give it a go and glad we did.

Having recently finished a long road trip adventure by myself, it is great to see a movie about two 'misfit' people driving across America by pure coincidence.

There are great chemistry between the two leads, who are actually married in real life, and that brings a bit of authenticity into the movie. The script is well-written and some of the scenery are breath-taking similar to what you would expect from a long road trip across a continent. I like the wickedness in some of the dialog. I also like the fact that all famous actors/actresses keep their fame within their parts and didn't attempt to steal the thunder from the leads.

Overall 8/10

P.S: Most guys would probably find this movie boring...

Take Me Home is a romantic comedy starring Sam Jaeger, a popular TV and character actor. He plays Tom, an aspiring photographer and part-time unlicensed cab driver who is a bit down on his luck. On the evening that he gets kicked out of his apartment for rent delinquency, outfits his cab to try to get a fare and picks up an attractive young woman, Claire, who has recently caught her husband in an affair and also has just found out that her father has had a heart attack. She breaks down in his cab, and tells Tom to "just drive", but eventually hires him to drive all the way to California to find her father. And the road trip is on.

As romantic comedy premises go, this one is just fine, and predictably, the relationship between the two down and out protagonists grows with their own mutual understanding. The most interesting part of this movie to me is that Sam and Amber Jaeger, the leads, are real-life husband and wife, and this seemed to make a big difference to me. The knowing looks that they give each other and the affection that they display are just full of reality and feeling, and I really sensed something different from all other rom-com movies I have seen. The movie is not without flaws, but it is really interesting to see these two actors create characters from the real feelings that they have about each other as people.

Let the buyer beware--if you are not into rom-com and would rather watch the Terminator, this is not your movie. Otherwise, it is very touching and sweet.

This is without a doubt one of the best romantic comedies I've seen in a long while, probably because it didn't come out of the Hollywood mill. With interesting, developed characters, a quirky, fun plot and twists that keep your brain alive, Sam Jaeger did a fine job writing a first class screenplay that doesn't rely on sex, animals, excessive profanity or outrageous antics to keep the laughs coming. Instead it relies on the quirks of the human condition, which is infinitely more funny than over-the-top pranks. The perfect date movie, it would rock the box office if it gets a chance, just by word of mouth. At the premier, a man with a kidney stone tried to tough out his pain just to see the end. Who can beat that for an endorsement?

Charming romantic comedy worth watching. But I concur with the reviewer that found it pretty formulaic. No intriguing twists or turns in the story. It reminded me of a movie I saw recently about some people who lived around the Salton Sea. Can't recall the title at the moment.

I enjoyed watching this movie at the Chicago Film Festival with a lively, responsive crowd. It's a character-driven story featuring two unique individuals, against a backdrop of our beautiful, expansive country. As the journey progresses through big cities, desolate deserts and incredible canyons, the characters grow in their own personal journeys, confronting head on the reality of their life's decisions. For Claire, it's a marriage that is falling apart and a strained relationship with a father who just had a heart attack. For Thom, it's going broke pursuing a career he loves, and lying to his family about it out of shame and embarrassment. As the characters drive across the country together, they eventually reach two destinations -- California and the personal realizations that they need to change the patterns of their lives in pursuit of something more meaningful.

I thought this was an all-around cute movie. The main characters were likable and funny without trying too hard. "Thom" was very likable from the beginning and throughout. "Claire" had some great moments in the more dramatic scenes where her acting was great. The plot was interesting and engaging. There wasn't anything overly creative or unique about the plot or writing, and some parts were a little slow, but I enjoyed it. For an independent movie written, directed, and starred in by Sam Jaeger, it was very well-done. I think if a few creative twists were thrown in that have never been done before, that would've taken the film up a few notches (in my opinion) and made it less predictable. Overall, my husband and I enjoyed this movie and liked the characters.

My husband and I saw this movie at the Savannah Film Fest, and we thought it was excellent. The characters and the problems with which they dealt seemed real, could've been us or our family members. There were no easy solutions. The writing was subtle and genuinely funny. The filming showed off the country beautifully. The minor characters were well crafted, especially Clair's mother. As the action moves from the frenetic pace of the city through the numbing boredom of major highways to the serenity of nature's wide open spaces, the characters face their inner conflicts and fears. They grow separately, but in that way that others often see us more clearly than we can see ourselves, they also each contribute to the other.

The test of a good movie is whether it invokes interesting discussion afterward. We talked about this one all the way through dinner and the ride home. Do yourself a favor and see it.

Thom is your average guy who is struggling to survive in New York City. He can't find a half-decent job and often will resort to illegally driving a taxi cab to make ends meat. One night he picks up a distressed Claire, who recently found out her father had a heart attack back in California. One thing leads to another, and Thom is now driving the two of them out to the West Coast so she can see her family.

It can be extremely difficult to feel the emotion in a love story but this is done well in Take Me Home, and perhaps a large part of the reason why has to do with their relationship outside of film. This was written and directed by Sam Jaeger, who also plays the lead actor. Interestingly, the female lead is played by his wife Amber Jaeger. This makes buying into the feelings these two have for one another an easier task as the film progresses.

This is your average feel-good comedy with all the clichés we've come accustomed to, from start to finish. But don't let that stop you from enjoying a well-constructed story as I can assure you it is worth the time. And if anything, the fact that these two leads are married in real life makes the story that much more unique and worthwhile.

I watched this movie based on the generally strong reviews, but I was sourly disappointed and felt compelled to write a counterpoint.

Whatever chemistry led the lead actors to marry in real life failed to translate to the screen. Their conversations are humorless and devoid of the charm that makes good romantic comedies compelling. The suspension of disbelief required to swallow the characters' evolution is just too much. Imagine learning someone is a murderer and shrugging it off (not that this exactly happens in the movie, but that's what it felt like).

Amber's emotional range is mostly expressed via her hair style, and Sam.... Not an actor. Stick with directing.

I found this movie to be sub par.

This movie, every expression on the protagonists, the building up of the plot, so authentic and genuine! Not of those days crappy stuff. It feels relatable and personal and resonating but have to say I have not quite understood the end. Soudtracks as if made specially for this movie.

It's about time we got to see some real talent for movie-making. Without a doubt this was a low budget production but who the hell cares.. The quality of the acting and the story itself puts many so called Hollywood blockbusters to shame. Why wasn't this on general release? Ah OK we all know why.. Stick at it guys.. With this kind of ability I can see great things coming to a screen near us soon. Didn't realise the chemistry so apparent on the screen is for a reason until the credits. Hey. It works so don't knock it.!! Brilliant comic timing, great writing, I'm looking forward to the next one. C'mon guys in Hollywood.. Lend these guys some dosh so they can show you how it's done :o)

This GREAT little movie is written, put together and starring two newcomers who are actually married in real life. This movie is a gem !!!!!!!!!! Laughs and truly HEARTFELT situations. Take a chance. You won't regret it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's a romantic comedy plus a road trip with some family drama. We've all seen a hundred of them. Which means it's all about the execution. And, sadly, that execution is only adequate, not great. The acting, the cinematography, even the story are fine.

What's not fine is that, like too many movies, the director and/or scriptwriter treat us like idiots who have never seen a movie before. The first fifteen minutes are a waste of time, setting up the characters in a way that's utterly unnecessary; and there are a few similar such moments through the rest of the movie where we are told the obvious.

Do yourself a favor and double your enjoyment of the movie. Skip through the first fifteen minutes in a minute or less, watching a scene here, 20 seconds there; jump in res media at 15 minutes, and experience the movie like an adult who doesn't need to be spoon fed genre conventions as though they're an audience member at L'Arrivée d'un train en gare de La Ciotat.

Most romantic drama cum comedies rely on formula situations, of which there are many, occurring in a sequence of patterns, of which there are many combinations but "Take Me Home" has a novel touch - a chance taxi pick up by a homeless Thom of a saddened, by news of her father and her recently problematic marriage, Claire. The instruction from Claire to Thom is to just "drive".

Now this is a very delicately woven romance, paced to coincide with the length of time it takes to cross the USA by taxi with some major interruptions along the way. The characters of Thom and Claire are made deliciously complex and we also see the other sides of their characters through close relatives and in Claire's case, her husband too. This helps to disrupt our ideas of where the story may go as the film reaches its conclusion.

Husband and wife team Amber and Sam Jaeger do excellent work in the lead roles as to a host of other family connections. Indeed the film is beautifully constructed and acted throughout. It has a thoughtful soundtrack and some neat cinematography, is entertaining, is quite profound of the subject of romance, and delivers its packages with realistic drama.

Compared to many romantic films it stands out although I agree with comments that some guys may be bored.

what to write? this is a very sweet adventure road story romance. a lot of people will turn away because they will assume it's just another chic-flic love story. it is not.

two people with major disappointments in their lives cross paths and in doing so find love. i won't get into the story - the other reviewers have already done this. a fun, funny, adventure that keeps it clean.

my favorite part of this story is the ending. just what did she do? at the beginning she makes a statement, near the end she encounters that statement. two pivotal moments in the story. just what did she do? watch it and decide for yourself.

Having read a few reviews on here I wasn't expecting too much from this, but thankfully some decent chemistry between real life husband and wife Sam Jaeger and Amber Jaeger, a fab soundtrack and a genuinely touching denouement made this a cut above most romantic comedies. As some people have said it's a little like a Sandra Bullock rom-com, only without the falseness, and there's some good supporting turns from Lin Shaye and co as parents. Not sure if it's had a theatrical release at any point in the UK (I watched it on Sky) but it's a shame as it certainly deserves one.

Well worth watching!