Redemption Road is a heart-warming family film about trusting oneself and achieving one's dreams. The film is visually beautifully, featuring locations that remind me of my smaller-than-Austin hometown, enhancing the performances of both Morgan Simpson and Michael Clarke Duncan.
Bailey (Simpson) is a broke blues musician with a drinking problem and a bad case of stage fright. One day he meets a stranger named Augy (Duncan) who has ventured all the way from Mississippi to tell Bailey that his grandfather has passed and he must return home to collect on the estate. The whole situation is humorous to our leading man, considering he and his family have never been anything but poor. Together the duo travels to Huntsville, forming an interesting bond along the way as Augy helps Bailey learn the value of self-acceptance and appreciation for what one has instead of what one doesn't. Along the journey he slowly learns to live with himself and his demons, to forgive and forget his past, and even venture onto the stage once again.
Co-written by Simpson and co-produced by Duncan, both men did their fair share of collaborating on the backbone of the film. The dialogue was lackluster to say the least as things were over-stated and obvious to the common viewer. The true heart and soul of the story stood out in the colors, costumes, and locations used. The on-screen chemistry between Duncan and Simpson was impressive, showcasing the amount of work each put into the film. Unfortunately, the dialogue caused many of the emotional scenes to come off as trite, disallowing the audience to become connected to the characters. The storyline was also a bit cliche for my taste, but there was no lack of heart or sincerity from either actor. This isn't one I will see again, but I would recommend it to those who are looking for an afternoon away from the blistering summer heat.
