End of Sentence is another example of the family road trip drama. There are some expectations going into this type of movie. The family (in this case Frank Fogle and his son, Sean) either have a strong bond or they are estranged. In this case, the two are reluctantly brought together after Frank’s wife Anna passes away. Her dying wish is for her ashes to be spread in Ireland.
The plot is not the most original. This means it is up to the two leads to carry the movie. John Hawkes as the soft spoken Frank and Logan Lerman in the role of the never do well son Sean are great. The pair have a natural chemistry and play off each other well throughout the film. As End of Sentence progresses, the father and son repair their bond. This is to be expected, but the strong performances make it more satisfying for the audience.
Of course, since the premise is familiar, End of Sentence has a “been there done that” feel to it at times. This is seen early on when Frank learns about Anna’s uninhibited past. There are also odd tonal changes to the film. At its core, the movie is a quiet story about a father and son coming to terms with their past. Yet, the movie includes a comedic chase scene that feels out of place.
These missteps do not stay long with the audience, however. Along with the acting, there are some wonderful shots of the Irish countryside. This comes as little surprise since Ireland is one of the most picturesque places on the planet. Director Elfar Adalsteins makes sure the scenery never takes over End of Sentence though. The rolling hillsides are just the backdrop for the wonderful character driven story.
End of Sentence is a charming story about a father and son rekindling their relationship. The story avoids becoming too cliche by a willingness to go deeper and darker than similar movies. Along the way, it will impress audiences with its beautiful camerawork and winsome story.
Another familiar movie. Does it also succeed?
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