From Here To There

Author(s): Pat
Location: New York

“From Here to There"

Directed By David O. Russell
Written By David Chase and David O. Russell
Based on a True Story
Produced By Paul Haggis, Brad Grey, David Chase

Principal Cast:

William Shatner (Bob Matas)
Florence Henderson (Betty Matas)
Luis Guzman (Douglas Guldeniz)
Naomi Watts (Alice Keats)
Mark Wahlberg (Tom Keats)
William Fitchner (Eddie Pomenville)

Tagline: "3 People. $3,000. 2,500 Miles. That’s all it takes to get from here to there.”

Synopsis: The director of “I Heart Huckabees” David O. Russell and “The Sopranos” creator David Chase come together to create a new on-the-road drama based on actual events. Bob (William Shatner) and Betty (Florence Henderson) Matas have decided that they wish to move away from New York City after being raised there into their mid-70s. They want out of the bustle of the metropolis and plan to make a new home in Arizona, but they come across a problem when neither owns a car and they can’t fly because Betty is afraid that her two cats would die during the travel. As a joke they ask a cabbie named Douglas (Luis Guzman) to drive them the entire 2,500 miles to their new home. Bob and Betty soon grow on the idea and officially request that Douglas take them across the country at a fee of $3,000. He agrees and the trio sets off on a cross-country mission to start a new life. But complications arise from a reporter (Naomi Watts) desperate for a good story and her heroin-addicted husband (Mark Wahlberg), as well as issues from Douglas’ boss (William Fitchner) who finds the endevour to be stupid and wants his driver back. Bob, Betty, and Douglas soon become good friends during the ride and begin to discover new things about their lives and the lives of people they meet along their journey. “From Here To There” is a heartwarming tale about a couple trying to live happily and how their desires affect the people around them.

What the press would say:

Acclaimed director David O. Russell takes a look at the value of relationships and growing old in his new film, “From Here to There”. The story is based upon a true story where a NYC couple in their twilight decide to move to Arizona after Bob, the husband, retires from his long-held career. Bob and Betty convince a cabbie named Douglas to drive them the distance in exchange for $3,000 and free room and board along the trip. Along the way the couple and Douglas learn things about themselves they never knew existed and the couple soon come to terms with growing old. Following them are a reporter and drug addict husband, played by Naomi Watts and Mark Wahlberg, on a mission to make an amazing documentary out of the subject. Wahlberg shines as a supportive but uncontrollable heroin lover who makes a mess of the trip with several run-ins with authorities. Watts also gives a good performance as a desperate woman trying to make a difference in the world. The two provide most of the comic relief for the story. Florence Henderson stars as Betty Matas, the woman in the cab who is obsessed with her cats and is somewhat against moving to Arizona. William Shatner shows a new side of his acting by giving a very quiet and restrained performance that also contains an enormous amount of power in his expressions. Luis Guzman is, by far, the best part of the film, as Douglas the cabbie, who has been look down upon by his boss because of his intelligence. Guzman offers little pearls of wisdom that at first glance seem to be stupid reflections on life but are actually well thought out but poorly phrased philosophical statements. Overall, “From Here to There” shows off the abilities of all its actors and causes the audience to contemplate on their remaining time on Earth.

FYC

Best Picture
Best Director-David O. Russell
Best Original Screenplay
Best Actor-Luis Guzman
Best Actor-William Shatner
Best Actress-Florence Henderson
Best Supporting Actor-Mark Wahlberg
Best Supporting Actress-Naomi Watts
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing