Boundaries (2018)

Directed by: Shana Feste | 104 minutes | comedy, drama | Actors: Vera Farmiga, Christopher Plummer, Lewis MacDougall, Christopher Lloyd, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Kristen Schaal, Bobby Cannavale, Peter Fonda, Dolly Wells, Ryan Robbins, Maxine Miller

‘Boundaries’ is about setting boundaries. And what can go wrong if you give in, while you had so firmly promised yourself never again… For example, Laura Jaconi (played infectiously by Vera Farmiga) has had it all for several years with her father, Jack (Christopher Plummer in excellent shape). She emphasizes that every time in her sessions with her psychologist. The single mother also has feelings for son Henry (Lewis MacDougall), who is expelled from school after another artful outburst – a drawing of the headmistress in birth costume. When Laura’s mildly criminal-minded father calls for help, he is – in his eyes unjustly – kicked out of another old people’s home, she thinks: ‘You know what, let me try one last time with the man.’ No sooner said than done. She offers to take her father to her sister, because she (Kristen Schaal) wants to give her father shelter for the time being.

The special road trip is taken in style, in Jack’s golden brown Rolls Royce. What Laura doesn’t know is that her father has hidden a large amount of marijuana in the trunk, between the incontinence diapers (!). Along the way, a few customers need to be visited and Jack has persuaded his grandson Henry to be “partner-in-crime” in the transactions. It will be a memorable trip, full of encounters with old acquaintances. Oh yes, they also take a few stray animals in tow, because that is Laura’s Achilles heel.

Both Farmiga and Plummer play their roles in ‘Boundaries’ with gusto and are completely believable. In supporting roles we see Bobby Cannavale (“Boardwalk Empire”), as Laura’s ex-husband, and -always a party- Christopher ‘Back To The Future’ Lloyd as Jack’s eccentric old friend. ‘Boundaries’ is a film with ordinary people in an unusual setting, a kind of memory lane with a twist. Old memories are recalled and things are discussed. At least, they make frantic efforts to do so. Because, in any case, the stock of weed must of course be sold, at all costs!

‘Every road trip comes with snags’. Indeed, but ‘Boundaries’ is all in all a very amusing print, which meanders smoothly and regularly puts a smile on your face.

The film is rated 16 and over for “drug scenes” and “swear words.” A bit exaggerated, because there is little cross-border happening. But we Dutch are of course used to something in the field of film, our ‘borders’ have already been stretched quite a bit in that regard.

[imdb]tt5686062[/imdb]