The Long Way Home

This movie is pure bliss to watch, Jack Lemmon makes it so. Such a shame we shall never see more of his films. I'm used to seeing Mr. Lemmon play old cranks, politicians, businessmen, etc but in this role he stands out as Tom Gerrin, a 75 year old retired carpenter. Mr. Lemmon not only looks like the retired carpenter you almost forget he is an actor.

The best part of this movie is it demonstrates how friendship knows no age limits. In fact friendship between two people from completely different generations can easily bridge the gap. I would know as one of my closest friends is an 82 year old former professor of mine. When I watch this movie I think of our times we meet and swap stories from out past.

What also contributes to the friendship and the bridging of the generational gaps is also the message of "the golden years should not mean a death sentence." This movie is about living one day at a time and enjoying life no matter what age you are.

In closing Jack Lemmon made this movie. Cheers to him and God rest his soul. Pick up this movie on DVD on amazon.com. It will make you glad for the friendships you will make with all sorts of people and give you and outlook for enjoying life.

Both Jack Lemmon and Sarah Paulson are excellent in this fresh movie. I absolutely loved the storyline, and wish that I had learned of and seen it years before my 76th year.

The scenes between Jack Lemmon and Sarah Paulson make The Long Way Home something special. This Hallmark Channel TV film explores the problems of old age when you feel you have no purpose any more.

Lemmon is playing someone in his own age bracket, a 70 something widower who went to war in World War II, married a hometown sweetheart and raised a family. Now he lives with one of his sons Garwin Sanford and Kristin Griffith and they fuss over him like he's an invalid.

He's hardly that, in fact he was a cabinetmaker an honorable craft which he was employed at for almost half a century. Lemmon looks like a man who took pride in his work.

One day when the circus comes to town he plays hooky. He meets Sarah Paulson a girl who is traveling west to rejoin her parents in California. The two of them just hit it off, he's the grandfather she never had. Lemmon and Paulson decide to journey together, Lemmon to meet up with an old girlfriend Betty Garrett, a widow who lives near Paulson's parents.

Lemmon and Garrett have a wonderful reunion scene. Lemmon's in Kansas and she's in California. Geography is against them in the romance department, but it's not insurmountable.

Lemmon also learns quite a life lesson from meeting Paulson's parents, especially her father. As that immortal 20th century philosopher Yogi Berra put it, it ain't over till it's over.

The Long Way Home is a wonderful duel character study and inspiring, especially to an old codger like me.

"The Long Way Home" is a TV movie based on a previous made for TV film, the French movie "Thomas Guerin...retraité". I've never seen the French film...and I have no idea whether or not it's available.

Tom (Jack Lemmon) is an elderly man who hates what's become of his life. He's being forced to move in with his son and lose his independence and the worst part is, the son and his wife seem to be parenting him. So, it's not all that surprising that eventually he decides to leave! On the way, he meets a young woman, Leanne (Sarah Paulson) and they both decide to head to California....without Tom letting his family know. What's next for this unlikely pair?

The acting is the best part of the movie...period. As for the story itself, it brings up a lot of great points about the elderly and independence. But it also has an ending you'll either love or hate. If you like a film with a perfect ending where everything is wrapped up and clear, then you'll hate it! But, I don't mind the vagueness of the ending...mostly because life itself isn't always clear. Well worth seeing.

Jack Lemmon is great in this drama, portraying a widower with masterly realism, balancing between a grumpy old man and the character he played in Short Cuts. While watching the movie, I was afraid it would eventually turn overbearingly sentimental, but it never did. It's a lovely, thought provoking story. Surprisingly fresh and much recommended.