The Short History of the Long Road (2019) User Reviews

terrific performance

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 13 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.

"The Short History of the Long Road": When the Highway is your Home

[jtncsmistad · 6/10 · 17 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.

Unique coming-of-age story for teenger Nola. If biological family doesn't work out then find your logical family.

[TxMike · 19 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.

Good independent flick

[Marshall84 · 7/10 · 23 June 2022]

No spoilers. Sabrina does exceptionally well playing a young lady trying to find her way in the world after her dad dies and she's without her mom. I was impressed with the whole movie.

A family oriented drama starring Sabrina Carpenter

[Mysterygeneration · 6/10 · 14 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.

an ode to the westphalia camper van

[ops-52535 · 8/10 · 17 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

Typical

[jasonod-45364 · 1/10 · 14 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.

Stunning visuals with a great lead!

[dennyjones-47495 · 10/10 · 15 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.

[markallan · 10/10 · 17 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.

if you know how...

[constantin-andronic-270-622019 · 8/10 · 4 March 2021]

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!!!

Amazing

[alec-29236 · 10/10 · 18 March 2021]

Excellent, Sabrina Carpenter's performance is amazing, I liked the plot and the way the story is told. The locations are very beautiful, and the story is very entertaining and exciting.

Amazing movie!

[anagonzalezsole · 10/10 · 17 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!!!

[mollyruggx · 10/10 · 18 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!

[liadantas · 10/10 · 16 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

[fatemaalshawaf · 10/10 · 19 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_2009 · 10/10 · 17 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

[johnandrewsantiago · 9/10 · 19 July 2020]

I really loved Sabrina's acting here. She can do it, she can do drama real good. Hoping to see more from her in the future.

10 out of 10

[kloewalker · 10/10 · 16 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 Movie to feel.. Finding and Msissing Relations

[Harpreet-chhabra · 10/10 · 5 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.

Very good tale

[latinfineart · 8/10 · 14 September 2021]

This film is really well done. Great performance by Danny Trejo as usual, and the lead was wonderful. Good story, and a little bit of a nomadland kind of vibe, but a completely different story. Very very good.

Another way of life

[tchounga · 8/10 · 14 November 2021]

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.

Beautiful film! Why didn't this get better recognition?

[ExperiencedFilmBuff · 14 March 2021]

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.