There is almost nothing better for me than a great chick flick with a theme around a road trip, a classic car and the friendships, complexity and challenges of middle-aged women.

I happened on to an outstanding movie on my pay per view cable channel recently and I will be purchasing on DVD  for myself and as gifts for some of my middle-aged girl friends.

Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates and Joan Allen hit the road in '66 Pontiac BONNEVILLE, a story about three friends who “come of age” for a second time on a trip across the great American West. Faced with the decision of a lifetime, Arvilla Holden (Lange) loads up her '66 Bonneville convertible and, with her friends (Bates, Allen) in tow, sets out from Pocatello, Idaho, en route to Santa Barbara.

The cinematography alone is enough reason to watch it again as you ride along with them as they take a poignant and playful road trip to deliver (or not), the ashes of Joe, Arvilla's recently departed husband of 20 years.

After 20 years of marriage, Arvilla Holden (Two Time Academy Award® Winner Lange) has just lost her husband, Joe – and she’s about to lose her house as her stepdaughter Francine (Christine Baranski) forces her to choose between her home and keeping her promise to Joe.

Convinced she has no choice but to give in to Francine’s plan, Arvilla sets off from Pocatello Idaho with her best friends Margene and Carol along for the ride (Academy Award® Winner Bates and Academy Award® Nominee Allen).

Her friends are surprised when Arvilla picks them up in Joe’s vintage ’66 Bonneville convertible. And they’re shocked when Arvilla cruises right past the airport, abandoning plane tickets to Santa Barbara in favor of a road trip across the great American West.

As they detour to spots like Bryce Canyon and Las Vegas, it doesn’t take long for the women to realize Arvilla has something unexpected in store. But what none of them realize is that what began as a trip to deliver “Joe” will end up becoming a chance to rediscover themselves, their friendship, the importance of promises – and of letting go.

http://www.bonnevillethemovie.com/

Jody DeVere
President
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