The Long Drive

The film opens with a woman driving a car. It is soon made clear that she is about to pick someone, and is then joined by her son. The conversation that ensues introduces the viewer to their complex situation, the recent rift between the two, and how now the characters have found themselves in a situation that is marked by emotional distance.

The major chunk of the drama unfolds within the duration of the drive itself, and the viewer is introduced to the reasons behind the trouble between them, but also the possibility of hope and perhaps even a chance of finding their way back to each other.

The film is especially interesting in the manner in which it offers a very unconventional setting where a single mother has chosen a live-in partner for herself, and is also accepting of the same situation when it comes to her son. Their equation is not only marked by affection, intimacy, open communication but also the role food comes to play in it, as they discuss restaurants and food items at multiples instances during the conversation. There is also a clear indication of how the two mirror each other, and therefore, face the same problems in their respective relationships. All of these elements when weaved together by the narrative, allow the audience a balanced and comprehensive understanding of the stories of the characters before them on screen, making the film a balanced product.