The Open Road 2009

Carlton Garrett, portrayed by Justin Timberlake, is the son of baseball icon Kyle Garrett, played by Jeff Bridges, and currently plays minor-league baseball with the Corpus Christi Hooks in Texas. After a disappointing game, Carlton receives a call from his grandfather Amon, portrayed by Harry Dean Stanton, informing him that his mother, Katherine, played by Mary Steenburgen, is in the hospital and requires surgery. Unfortunately, Katherine refuses to consent to the procedure until her estranged husband, Kyle, comes to see her.

Determined to bridge the gap between father and son, Carlton enlists the help of his ex-girlfriend Lucy, portrayed by Kate Mara, and they fly to Columbus, Ohio, where Kyle is signing autographs and does not have a cell phone. The reunion is tense and reveals that Carlton and Kyle have not communicated in five years. After much reluctance, Kyle agrees to travel to Texas for Katherine’s sake.

However, complications arise when Kyle realizes he has lost his wallet, thus preventing him from boarding the flight. Lucy suggests they drive instead. During a gas station stop, Kyle requests painkillers from his bag, and Lucy discovers his wallet hidden inside, realizing he may have been avoiding the trip on purpose. This information, however, remains unshared with Carlton.

As the journey unfolds, the duo of Carlton and Kyle attempts to mend their fractured relationship. Lucy reveals that she has received a marriage proposal from another man, leaving Carlton in a state of emotional turmoil. Tensions mount when it becomes clear that Kyle is deliberately stalling the journey. He fabricates a story about knowing someone at the Memphis airport who can bypass security, only to later admit it was a lie. When Carlton finds out Kyle has his wallet the entire time, he confronts both his father and Lucy, leading to further discord.

In a desperate search for Kyle, Carlton learns from the hotel staff that his father is indeed at the Peabody Hotel under an assumed name. An explosive confrontation ensues between the two, where Kyle confesses, “I love Katherine but I love myself even more.” Despite their differences, Kyle agrees to continue on their journey.

As they await news of Katherine’s surgery, tensions simmer down. Lucy reconciles with Carlton, and after the successful operation, Carlton decides to leave baseball behind to pursue a writing career, while Lucy admits her fiancé status was a misunderstanding, hinting at rekindled feelings between them.

In the closing moments, Carlton transports Kyle to the airport, solidifying plans for future family gatherings. The film concludes with Carlton clearing out his baseball locker and departing with Lucy, symbolizing his journey into a new chapter of life filled with hope and possibility.