The Short History of the Long Road

Casting Sabrina Carpenter as the lead was the perfect decision! She perfectly acts with out over acting. The film was also visually stunning. The only part I would change is adding more time so we could live in the emotions of Nala.

Young Nola (Sabrina Carpenter) and her dad basically travel out west and live in their old VW van. He works odd jobs to earn some cash and he teaches his daughter the ways of life. She was named after the city (New Orleans) and they hope to get there at some point. She never knew her mother who left when Nola was a baby and she hopes to someday track her down.

When things take a big turn and Nola finds herself alone with the van she has to make a whole new plan, including befriending an auto shop owner and working for him for a time to pay for towing and van repairs. When she finds her mom she learns the whole story, she may have been abandoned but at least she was allowed to live. Striking out alone again she finds a traveling group of van owners, this might be her logical family.

This is mostly a quiet movie but a good character study. We had not heard of Sabrina Carpenter before but she is really good in the role, all 5' 1" of her. I found out later she is an accomplished singer and songwriter, maybe we will see more of her.

My wife and I watched it at home on DVD from our public library.

Great indie film here about a girl who lives in a van with her father as they travel around as she goes in search of herself. The film has some shocks I won't reveal but I highly recommend it. I actually felt it had a similar concept to Nomadland only with a better story. The performances were really solid and it was a nice surprise to see Danny Trejo appear. At the heart of this film, it is actually a coming of age tale. But it is so much more.

This road movie presents another way than a standardized life. Living with less to enjoy more the life.

Other possibles, in harmony with nature exists. Don't expect great special effects and this reflect the way of the life than the father offer to her dautgher.

This is if they knew how to do it: not such a great story but so wonderful told, such a great directoring and damn well plaied made it a soul touching movie!!!