User Reviews

This movie starts off as a very close parallel to the 1999 Richard Farnsworth movie, "The Straight Story", in which he takes off across several states on his old John Deere riding mower to find his estranged brother. But, then, this movie turns a corner to tell a different story. There are a few problems along the way...a wheelchair battery that seemingly has unlimited power; a lead, wheelchair-bound character shooting her way across New Mexico (retired cop or not) without consequence; a New Mexico State Trooper who has no other duties than to serve as a taxi for the lead character, and an unattended church in the middle of nowhere, even though all the alter candles are lighted and burning brightly. The last half of the movie seemed to lose its power and momentum, the closer it got to the end. Finally, the ending was disappointing and weak. However, the movie still had some degree of an entertainment value.

Rose is suffering from a terminal illness and decides to take a road trip, trying to repair her broken relationship with her son. An ex-cop, she swiftly deals with a potential mugger en route and eventually meets a cowboy played by James Brolin, who brings her some happiness.

James would have been 77 years old when this was made and he is still a fine looking man! Cybil Shepherd is mainly expressionless in this, which is a little irritating.

Pam Grier is good as a free-spirited woman she meets at a health spa, and Rose's loyal group of friends are really well played. Ernesto, a patrol officer who befriends Rose, is one of the best characters in it.

Not a great deal of action but worth watching.

Wow what a snoozefest. There were so many unbelievable things in this move to stomach. An elderly woman that has a electric wheelchair that evidently never runs out of power. A retired police officer shoots her assailant ... in the foot - never happen - then leaves before police arrives then does it AGAIN ..... jeez. The sub plot with her rehab son unhuh - he's changed - Yeah cause heroin addicts always get better quickly. The Brolin romance - he loves her after a few days ... the whole move is unbelievable - watching someone ride around in a wheelchair with a tent on top ..... spare me and save you time for a good movie.

It is a slow movie, but there is nothing wrong with that. Cybill Shepherd did an amazing job. This story was more true to life than a lot of them.

I just watched this movie and was blown away. There was such a touching reality to Cybil's performance. She had recently lost her beloved husband. Her adult son was a drug addict, lived elsewhere and had cutoff all ties with her because of a resentment he had with her concerning his father. She was ill, could barely walk and needed a wheel chair. She was waiting for her medical diagnosis, which she knew most likely would not be good. In the meantime life needed to be proceeded with and what became most important to her was to try to reconnect with her son. She was in a state of complete emotional overload and when too many intense emotions are all jammed up together, each fighting for precedence over the other, we can short circuit, shut down, become numb. She was a retired cop of over 30 years so had been trained and had learned to proceed into and through precarious situations mentally evaluating and assessing each step along the way. Her job had required her being non-emotional. So that was the default look on her face now: a cop proceeding into and through a precarious situation. She had overwhelming concerns on her mind that stayed with her each moment, no matter who she might be talking to or what she might be experiencing. Her resting face look allowed for the slightest smile, the slightest eye or facial movement, the most nuanced expression to SHOUT OUT what she was feeling or thinking. I think of Peggy Lee who, when young and just starting out, was singing in a nightclub full of famous people who were drinking and talking loudly and she realized that if she sang louder to try to be heard over them they would talk louder so they could hear over her, so she sang softer and they talked less loudly. She sang even more softly until all ears were soon on her and her voice was the only sound in the room.

The rest of the characters in the movie were basically props for Cybil to react to. The elder performers were very good. The younger ones were okay, their failing being they did the opposite of Cybil. They OVERACTED. Honorable mention goes to Pam Grier. What a delight to see her again and what a delightful character she created. I wanted her to be my friend and my next door neighbor. The movie is obviously a drama but along the way there are some really funny, fun and sweet moments. Cybil's encounter with a purse snatcher is a gem of a moment, TWICE!

You may not fully appreciate this film unless you have lived a lot of years and have lost a good friend like Rose. Rose is on a journey that we all must travel eventually. Cybil Shepherd plays the reluctant traveler who tries to repair her most important relationships. Her determination is admirable. Her friends' efforts taken on her behalf are also admirable. She accomplishes a lot, despite her limitations. In the end, I was quite happy to have known Rose who serves as a fine example for the journeys of the rest of us.

This is a real life story filled with beautiful New Mexico scenery, first rate cinematography, down to earth storyline, excellent acting, and a real life ending. Hollywood, should take notice this is a wonderful and powerful human interest story that we can all relate to - you and old. Well done folks well done indeed. I started watching late and couldn't stop until I finished.

Deeply touching heartwarming movie.