Director: Christine Swanson
Writer: Christine Swanson
Stars: Renée Elise Goldsberry, Lynn Whitfield, and J. Alphonse Nicholson
Release Date: November 15, 2024.
Albany Road is a drama that attempts at depicting the journey of two women as they discover valuable lessons in life. The message is good but the concept seems a little contrived and the slowness of the movie at times takes away focus.
The cast features the versatile actress Renée Elise Goldsberry, recognizable from tv show Girls5eva and musical play Hamilton. She portrays Celeste Simmons, a talented advertising professional working in New York City. The storyline shows Celeste receiving a desirable work that contains her presenting a large client in Washington, D.C. However, when all the flights are canceled due to a huge blizzard, Celeste is forced to rent a car with Paula White portrayed by Lynn Whitfield (The Retirement Plan). Here’s the twist: Paula is in fact the mother of Kyle, a man that Celeste was once engaged to! Awkward, right?
Initially, it is difficult to empathize with Paula. She also gets impolite and aggressive, as she is depicted as a woman who once pretended to be a disabled person in an airport just to cut a queue. Earlier scenes reveal that while Paula was in a relationship with Celeste and Kyle, she was not exactly the easiest woman to deal with. However, she took the rivalry to the next level by sabotaging a job opportunity for Kyle, making their relationship suffer.
Soon after the two get on the road, the weather conditions worsen and they are compelled to rest. Paula recommends availing the hospitality of her cousin Carol, who operates a bed and breakfast in Pennsylvania. In practice, it may sound like a no-brainer, but believe me, things quickly turn topsy-turvy. Kyle arrives at the B&B with his new fiancée, Morgan, making the situation even more complicated. What is more, the current boyfriend of Celeste calls her frequently to inquire about her well-being, which makes the situation even more uncomfortable.
The movie has quite a number of side stories that fit into the main plot line. Carol’s husband, Billy, has a passive business of marijuana cultivation and sales while Paula has a dark secret that alters her behavior towards Celeste. The writer-director of the episode, Christine Swanson, is quite good at making the characters believable and providing them with a backstory. For instance, Celeste is portrayed as a successful and independent career woman who still harbors feelings for Kyle.
However, there are moments where the plot anthropomorphizes these two characters and makes them have interactions that do not rather seem organic. For instance, the conflict with Celeste and Paula has a good build-up but it is resolved in a very short time. They are fighting, and then they are laughing in some scenes that are usually followed by a montage and some music. Often, people ask what specifically helped them reconcile? There are multiple instances in the movie where scenes happen, but there are no lengthy dialogues given to the characters to explain what is unfolding.
The atmosphere of B&B generates situations for secretive discussions and whispers, which progress the characters’ backstory little by little. While some viewers might appreciate such approach, others can be bored with slow storytelling, especially taking into account the film’s length, which is more than 130 minutes.
However, the cast really shines. The cast delivers something unique to each character, making them believable and realistic. In specific regard to the women, they are entertaining to watch because they add life and character to their roles.
In the end, Albany Road is about disappointment and how life can be unpredictable at times. There are times when we need to make slight deviations or experience some hurdles in order to get back on track. Thus, despite certain wrinkles inherent in the cinematic narrative, the film’s intention is noble.
Albany Road 2024 Parents Guide & Age Rating
Red One is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Rating (MPA) for drug content and some thematic elements.
Language: Occasional mild to moderate language, including some tense exchanges between characters.
Violence: No physical violence, but there are heated arguments and emotionally charged moments that might upset sensitive viewers.
Sexual Content: No explicit scenes. Brief mentions of romantic relationships and tension between ex-partners.
Substance Use: A subplot involves a side business of marijuana cultivation, though its use is not glorified or shown extensively.
Overall: Suitable for teens 13 and up, but younger viewers may need guidance to navigate some of the more emotional or thematic elements.
