One for the Road (2021)

A movie that broke my heart into million pieces

I'm writing this as my tears are still not yet dried from all the bawling I did because of this movie.

STORY
Road trip with a dying cancer patient isn't exactly the most original plot but the director has executed this story in the most original way possible. I love the way Aood's (girlfriend) stories gradually travel backward eventually leading up to how Boss and Aood's friendship was formed. They're all touching in different ways and all had me bawling my eyes out. However, the most tearjerking element was Aood's dad's death and the use of his dad's narration through out the film. I was bawling my eyes out by the time we got to the end. The ending was so bittersweet. 10/10 for writing. Not a single redundant dialogue. Everything was perfect from start to finish.

ACTING/CAST
Ice is absolutely incredible as Aood and you really feel our protagonist's pain as he goes on a journey to ask for forgiveness from people whom he's hurt. Tor really proved he got chops in the second half of the movie when the story of Boss and Prim unfolds. Violette and Tor has been in past projects together so there was no doubt they would have perfect chemistry and they absolutely delivered.

MUSIC
I fucking cried every time Aood opens a cassette tape from his father's radio show and as his father introduces the song, montages of Aood 's stories start unfolding. The music selection for this movie was top tier and immaculate. The director, the music score and composer were truly out for blood with the soundtrack for this movie and they did it. They shattered my heart into a million pieces with every song played in this movie. This film is a good example of how important soundtrack and film scores are to elevate the narrative being told.

REWATCH VALUE
I think it'll be hard for me to come back to watching this movie. It's quite a slow movie that's absolutely gonna break your heart so I would save this for sad rainy day because it's meant to be enjoyed fully from start to finish.

PRODUCTION
As expected of a GDH production, beautiful cinematography, ingenious transitions, brilliant writing. There are so many things to praise about the production of this film but if I had to choose one thing, it would be the excellent mise-en-scene of this film. Every shot is dazzling, intentional and fill with metaphors. It was truly beautiful.

OVERALL
It's an underrated gem that I think everyone should give it a try on a rainy day or when you're feeling down and you want to cry your heart out to a film, One For The Road is the perfect film for such a day.

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