Top Five Most Original Road Trip Movies
You've been working hard for what seems like an eternity without a decent break. You feel a desperate need to escape the hectic pace of the city and cruise the open highways to somewhere more scenic and relaxing.
But honestly who has the time, or money for that matter? There are too many errands to run on your days off, shopping to do, and housework to catch up on. So how can you enjoy the benefits of a road trip when you are both cash and time poor?
The answer is to stay at home and live vicariously through others. Organise a movie night with a road trip theme.
There have been a few road trip movies produced recently, from the aptly named 'Road Trip' to the insane adventures of 'The Hangover'. But if you are after a more original and thought provoking story line then try this list of top five most original road trip movies.
The Guilt Trip (2012)
Image from Wikipedia website
A hapless biochemical engineer reluctantly takes his mother on the road while he tries unsuccessfully to sell his new invention.
The wonderful performances by Barbara Streisand and Seth Rogan make this movie worth seeing. The relationship between the two is funny and heart warming, with a feel good ending that is not as predictable as you might expect.
Thelma and Louise (1991)
Image from Wikipedia website
Two ordinary American women decide to break out of their disappointing and difficult lives by taking off on the road together, but their wild adventure takes a life altering turn for the worse. Stars Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis.
The powerful performances by these two highly acclaimed actresses give this movie legendary status.
National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)
Image from Wikipedia website
A crazy family road trip to visit Wally World sees Chevy Chase single-handedly unleash a chain of disasters that threaten to ruin the vacation for the whole family. Despite the setbacks Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) is determined to give his family the holiday he promised them, or die trying.
All ages will be highly amused by the misadventures of this unfortunate family.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Image from Wikipedia website
Ordinary and plain, seven year old Olive Hoover lands the opportunity to enter the Little Miss Sunshine contest in California by default. Her dysfunctional family, including a suicidal homosexual uncle and a heroin addicted grandfather, accompany her in the family Combi van, on the road to pursue her dream.
Starring Australian actor Toni Colette, this is a most unusual and amusing road trip movie that has achieved cult status. Little Miss Sunshine is the ultimate underdog story.
Rain Man (1988)
Image from Wikipedia website
Charlie Babbit (Tom Cruise) is a shameless hustler who is angry when his father dies and leaves him only his vintage Cadillac, while his estranged, autistic brother Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) inherits his father's entire fortune. Charlie takes Raymond on a road trip to the West Coast, in an attempt to acquire the inheritance he believes he was robbed of.
Dustin Hoffman gives an incredibly realistic performance as the autistic Raymond that makes this movie unforgettable.
What other original road trip movies have you enjoyed? Share your responses below.
