Never heard of any of the people in this film except for Danny Trejo. But it ended up being one of those accidentally found movies that warms the heart and pleases the soul.
Carpenter absolutes nails the role of the young woman left in a camper and no home by her Dad's death, but manages to make her way in the world anyway.
The score, the photography, the dialogue, the whole thing is cinematic beauty.
Don't miss it.
28 Reviews
terrific performance
SnoopyStyle13 December 2020
Teenager Nola (Sabrina Carpenter) travels and lives off the grid in a van with her father Clint (Steven Ogg). Suddenly, her father dies and she sets off on her own. It's a struggle. She encounters religious do-gooder Marcie, garage owner Miguel (Danny Trejo), and troubled teen Blue. All the while, she dreams of finding her long absent mother Cheryl.
This is an interesting off-the-grid and coming-of-age story. It threatens to be something more intense but it never really push it to the next level. Despite the dangers of the road, she finds only people who are helpful to varying degrees. It is highlighted by a very deep performance from Sabrina Carpenter. One thing I would do is to make the van a much bigger presence. It is the center of many situations and ends up being the final talisman. This is a terrific performance from a young actress in a somewhat compelling story.
This is an interesting off-the-grid and coming-of-age story. It threatens to be something more intense but it never really push it to the next level. Despite the dangers of the road, she finds only people who are helpful to varying degrees. It is highlighted by a very deep performance from Sabrina Carpenter. One thing I would do is to make the van a much bigger presence. It is the center of many situations and ends up being the final talisman. This is a terrific performance from a young actress in a somewhat compelling story.
"The Short History of the Long Road": When the Highway is your Home
jtncsmistad17 July 2020
All of us have wanderlust. Whether realized via a leisurely Sunday afternoon drive, a spontaneous road trip, an exotic resort vacation or a lifestyle, we as humans are innately driven to get up, get out and migrate about at various points in our lives.
The new drama "The Short History of the Long Road" is all about this need to move. Sabrina Carpenter is wonderful here as Nola, a young woman who has known nothing but crisscrossing America in a clunky vintage van with her vagabond father. Nola is traveling a road to discovery in her young life. We watch as she learns that home is where you make it, a residence of the soul, not limited to physical location nor trappings.
And I must give heartfelt props to Writer/Director Ani Simon-Kennedy for "daring" to show Christians who are actually fully dimensional, real people, not caricatures to be exploited and belittled. This shouldn't be bold. But amidst the mentally of the modern motion picture community, it is.
God Bless you for sharing your own voice, Ms. Simon-Kennedy. And for not letting it drown in the malicious and mystifying anti-faith messaging flooding your business.
The new drama "The Short History of the Long Road" is all about this need to move. Sabrina Carpenter is wonderful here as Nola, a young woman who has known nothing but crisscrossing America in a clunky vintage van with her vagabond father. Nola is traveling a road to discovery in her young life. We watch as she learns that home is where you make it, a residence of the soul, not limited to physical location nor trappings.
And I must give heartfelt props to Writer/Director Ani Simon-Kennedy for "daring" to show Christians who are actually fully dimensional, real people, not caricatures to be exploited and belittled. This shouldn't be bold. But amidst the mentally of the modern motion picture community, it is.
God Bless you for sharing your own voice, Ms. Simon-Kennedy. And for not letting it drown in the malicious and mystifying anti-faith messaging flooding your business.
Unique coming-of-age story for teenger Nola. If biological family doesn't work out then find your logical family.
TxMike19 August 2020
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.
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.
Good independent flick
Marshall8423 June 2022
A young girl's journey
angusking-3999823 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Nice enough film. It's a bit slow and while Nola's trials were quite interesting they were hardly riveting. I had the feeling while watching, that a story of a teenage girl (age unspecified) travelling alone might take a dark turn. But fortunately for her, no one tried to take advantage of her vulnerability. I was never quite sure which way the film was going to go. Was there a bigger story lying underneath? - The father and daughter - was that legit? Why were they always moving and what had happend with her mother. Did she really abandon her or was she taken from her. But there was no sinister underlying story. The film is as much about the characters she meets on her journey. The kindly and zealous christian mother, the abused indian daughter, the weary garage owner and her own cold non-maternal mother. Some touching scenes but as I said hardly riveting.
A family oriented drama starring Sabrina Carpenter
Mysterygeneration14 November 2021
Nola (Carpenter) is a young woman who is touring with her father in an RV in search of her mother. The film was enjoyable until Clint (Ogg), Nola's father, perished in a car accident on the highway. 'What the hell, man?' I exclaimed.
Trejo, a mechanic, and a lonely girl helped Nola in her quest to find her mother. Nola's sadness was alleviated by her reunion with her mother. Cool.
In this film, Sabrina's performance was outstanding. Sabrina can handle her situation on her own thanks to Trejo's mentorship.
Trejo, a mechanic, and a lonely girl helped Nola in her quest to find her mother. Nola's sadness was alleviated by her reunion with her mother. Cool.
In this film, Sabrina's performance was outstanding. Sabrina can handle her situation on her own thanks to Trejo's mentorship.
an ode to the westphalia camper van
ops-5253517 June 2020
This is a small story about a girl , her father and an old camping vehicle, biting the dust while riding the tracks of the wild frontiers of the mid and westernstates of u.s.a.. it has a little bit of the melvin ''straight''-story, meaning meeting strangers might be a fullfillment in life.
the story spans over many emotional chords, its death and love and friendship, also theft and pickpocketing to be able to survive when the straights becomes dire. the emotional bonds in this film are just beautiful, but does not reach asd far as it could.
the acting are merely flawless, even by danny trejo who has a sidekick small part in this flick. the story, and float of the plot is like a steady stream of a river, time flies usually fast at moments like this film. need to be mentioned are the spectacular shots of the scenic nature out there, fantastic, and invigorating..
the grumpy old man can only say its a recommend
the story spans over many emotional chords, its death and love and friendship, also theft and pickpocketing to be able to survive when the straights becomes dire. the emotional bonds in this film are just beautiful, but does not reach asd far as it could.
the acting are merely flawless, even by danny trejo who has a sidekick small part in this flick. the story, and float of the plot is like a steady stream of a river, time flies usually fast at moments like this film. need to be mentioned are the spectacular shots of the scenic nature out there, fantastic, and invigorating..
the grumpy old man can only say its a recommend
Typical
jasonod-4536414 August 2020
Critics would have you believe independent movies are usually better than most big budget movies. In fact, very few independent movies are interesting, let alone good, let alone great. Most are like this movie. They take 20 or less minutes of actual story and stretch it to 90 or more minutes. I was going to detail and put a number count on all the many stretches but that would be spoiling, as if this beyond boring movie shouldn't be spoiled, and it would take way too long to name them all seeing how 90% of this alleged movie is stretching scenes. In a nutshell, constantly nothing happening scenes where the totally mundane is shown with music playing instead of dialogue. This 500 dollar budget movie may have taken it to a new level however since even the very, very few times and spread out times the totally uninteresting characters are speaking to each other, they're still taking long pauses, whispering or talking very slowly. This is barely ahead of A Quiet Place in word count and 10 times worse and 100 times more boring than that bad movie. I'm having a hard time thinking of a more boring, nothing happening movie I've watched in my 50 years. The one review I can see as I write this claims a 10 out of 10 and Sabrina Carpenter "crushed this role". Sabrina is in practically every shot in this movie and says and does less in 90 minutes than any 20 something minute episode of Girl Meets World where she isn't in every scene. Hard to "crush" a role when you're not acting but simply eating, sitting, driving, walking, reading, writing or staring 90% of the movie. Being a Sabrina fan isn't an excuse for a ridiculous 10 out of 10 when many people don't give Schindler's List or Titanic 10 out of 10. Watch paint dry or listen to golf on the radio. Both will be far more interesting and exciting than this movie.
Touching movie
MuhammadElBehery17 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This movie touched me in most of the scenes, when she threw away her father' clothes and then wanted to get 'em back also when she hugged her mother, also when she came back to the repair guy to thank him. I loved how she got back the Van like she knew that it's the only real thing remaining for her and the only thing that will be always there for her. I loved Sabrina' Performance and all the cast as well also the original score (soundtrack) was so touching. This movie tells us that whatever life throws at us, we have to move on and keep going.
Another worst film! Full of boring conversation, and annoying overuse scene! Avoid at all cost!
kwenchow29 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This film start with a girl "Nola" swimming at the swimming pool, and her father "Clint" jump into the swimming pool with her scene! As turnout, this film is about Nola need to survive in her life with the van, after Clint die! Entire film full of boring conversation, and annoying overuse scene! Such as, overuse of the grocery shopping scene, overuse of the eating scene, overuse of the driving scene, overuse of Nola dreaming her father scene, and overuse of the singing song scene! Make the film unwatchable! Barely laughable scene is, Clint receive phone call with a pizza! At the end, Nola attending the van gathering! That's it! Wasting time to watch!
Stunning visuals with a great lead!
dennyjones-4749515 May 2022
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.
I don't usually write reviews.
markallan17 June 2020
I am writing an honest review to tell people how much I loved this film. It was real. It was really impactful from so many points of view. it was moving, in an existential way. Each viewer has their own desire to see a particular type of movie depending on their mood. If you wish to experience an example of a journey of Self discovery then I recommend this movie.
Amazing
alec-2923618 March 2021
if you know how...
constantin-andronic-270-6220194 March 2021
Amazing movie!
anagonzalezsole17 June 2020
As a Sabrina fan, I've been waiting for this movie for almost 2 years and seeing it makes me so happy. The story is so well done, the characters are so real and well written. Sabrina's acting is out of this world and I hope she gets the recognition she deserves. Everyone should see this one!
Absolutely adore this!!!
mollyruggx18 June 2020
I have been in love with sabrinas work since my childhood show girl meets world aired and follow her through her journey. This film hits completely different, it's so emotional and gives a rustic and beautiful vibe of life on the road. Sabrina brought so much emotion and embraced Nola perfectly. The actors are all amazing and all add different characteristics to the movie. It is so touching and the realtionship between Nola and her father is captivating and makes us want to learn more about her and they're life together. We learn the heartbreaking truth behind Nola and her mother. The whole story is so empowering and shows that we can achieve anything that we want! Excellent movie definitely recommend
Empowering movie!
liadantas16 June 2020
This movie is incredible! It shows such a different perspective of living on the road and explores very well the main character's emotions. It's a very empowering movie and Sabrina Carpenter's acting was otherworldly in this.
Amazing movie and amazing Sabrina Carpenter
fatemaalshawaf19 June 2020
Amazing! The writing was emotional, the cinematography beautiful and the acting incredible. Sabrina Carpenter didn't need many lines to bring the character to life, her performance was strong and heartwarming. Look forward to seeing her in more movies!
Such a different and wonderful film
squalley_200917 June 2021
It really let's you feel the characters, I ran across this by chance on Amazon prime and I'm so glad I watched it. It does develop a little slow but it's a really unique movie, it's difficult to explain the feeling. I love my share of action flicks but sometimes you just need to be taken to another place, it's too bad many people can not understand these types of movies. You really have to let yourself fall deep into it.
A movie that touches your heart
johnandrewsantiago19 July 2020
One of my all time favorite films! This movie has so much heart! I cannot believe I'm the first to leave a review!
TruthSeeker4Life16 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I've watched a lot of movies in my life, and the best movies, well, they aren't the ones with the super famous actors who are brought on for their fame than their talent, or because they spent a billion dollars on all the CGI like a Marvel movie, because the best movies are always about the chemistry of the people working together, the purpose of why the film is being made, and the meaning behind the story. Money, fame, and even talent cannot give a movie what this film, as well others, which chose the right people for the RIGHT reasons. Half way through the film I realized that this was one of those movies because it had so much heart, the main actress did a brilliant job because this role really meant something to her, and it became obvious quite quickly, but the rest of the actresses and actors did a brilliant job. I am not a fan of Danny Trejo, but I might be in the future if he chooses to do movies with more heart instead of blood and guts which he did a superb job in this film, and these parts will earn him far more respect in the long run. The actress who played the mother couldn't have done a better job. The way that she was able to play the cold mother was absolutely realistic. Now that I look back and I see how much the mother and daughter depended on each other in their roles in the film. The daughter did an excellent job throughout the film, but had the mother not been as good as she was, then it would have taken the brilliance of the daughters role, and vice versa, the two worked amazingly well together, and even though it wasn't a large part of the film, those scenes were the most significant in terms of the story, and they hit it out of the park! But its this type of chemistry that is what makes great movies great! You can't buy it, you can't force two famous actors/actresses to vibe well on screen, but if you have a great casting director etc then they will pick the right people! And for the actress that played the daughter keep choosing films with meaning and purpose. They will define your career far more than ones with big names or lots of money. Movies are far more than entertainment, and just like music, they have meaning and life lessons which can help so many people during significant times in their lives. There are so many worthless movies with no meaning being made, so much wasted talent, to everyone who made this film, keep making films with meaning and purpose because people need it more than they are willing to admit, and a legacy which someone leaves behind that changes lives is something money will never be able to buy! There are many things in life that can be bought, but the people who have truly lived, they know the most valuable things have no price tag, and giving a young kid hope to live another day is worth far more than any big budget film with absolutely no heart and no message to bring hope during people who might be going through a tough time! Bravo and thank you!
10 out of 10
kloewalker16 June 2020
One of the best movies I have ever seen. Sabrina Carpenter who plays Nola crushed this role.The whole cast and crew deserve a round of applause. Me and my family loved the movie and recommend to all. I hope that there Will be a sequel!!
A wandering, wonderful mess of a film.
elyjahjackson9 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
A story of growth and liberation, with some startling structure issues. Starting this off, Steven Ogg, Maggie Siff and Sabrina Carpenter, absolutely crush it. Danny Trejo lends himself quite well to this film as well, it's the more amateurish actors, that blemish the performances, but they're still quite serviceable. The film is shot well, with the long shots, during the van sequences, being absolutely captivating. The soundtrack, is a tad bit repetitive, but that final song during the ending sequence, is astounding.
With that being said, this movie suffers from some weird structure issues towards the 3rd and final act of the film, all in a messy attempt to get to the end. There's a sequence with a character, Marcie, where both her and Nola overreact to the situation, in an obvious attempt to get the film back on track, I guess? But it would have been nice to see Nola, attempt to grow while in this home, surrounded by people she could build a relationship with. But outside of that, it's a pretty enjoyable film, that I've watched on three occasions now and enjoy, with each new viewing.
With that being said, this movie suffers from some weird structure issues towards the 3rd and final act of the film, all in a messy attempt to get to the end. There's a sequence with a character, Marcie, where both her and Nola overreact to the situation, in an obvious attempt to get the film back on track, I guess? But it would have been nice to see Nola, attempt to grow while in this home, surrounded by people she could build a relationship with. But outside of that, it's a pretty enjoyable film, that I've watched on three occasions now and enjoy, with each new viewing.
A Movie to feel.. Finding and Msissing Relations
Harpreet-chhabra5 July 2020
This movie is definetly goes to make you feel from inside to explore meaning and purpose of relations someone explore on the way of oneselfs life.. Heart touching.. little logical relations can become yours for lifetime on the way in your life to whom you can find to stay with forever than ur cold hearted biological relations.
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