Albany Road (2024): Review and Summary
A cast of familiar faces, ranging from Lynn Whitfield to J. Alphonse Nicholson, delivers a holiday movie that is dramatic but a bit more serious than your usual fare.
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| Film Length | 2 Hour 15 Minutes |
| Release Date | November 15, 2024 |
| Advisory Rating | Rated PG-13 |
| Initially Available On/Via | Theatrical |
| Genre(s) | Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Romance |
| Distributor | Faith Filmworks |
| Director | Christine Swanson |
| Writer | Christine Swanson |
| Character Name | Actor |
| Celeste | Renée Elise Goldsberry |
| Kyle | J. Alphonse Nicholson |
| Paula | Lynn Whitfield |
| Carol | Lisa Arrindell |
| Phil | Gary Dourdan |
| Andrea | Lily Cowles |
Plot Summary
For almost a year now, Celeste has been in New York, working to become a partner at an advertising agency. She has done major promotions, like with Lexus, and if she can help the agency keep a major account, she’ll be made an equity partner. The only problem is that she has to get to Washington, D.C., for her meeting, and her meeting happens to be on the day of a snowstorm.
Because of that, no trains, buses, or planes are leaving New York, but there are rental cars, and damn if the last one she isn’t forced to share with her ex-fiance’s mother, Paula. Now, the awkwardness isn’t just because this is Kyle’s mother but also because Paula is a piece of work. But, with no other choice, the two end up on a road trip together, which has twists and turns, and it ultimately forces them to deal with their shared pasts as everyone is working on what’s next in their future.
Character Descriptions
Celeste
Celeste is a woman of a certain age who was engaged a year ago. Unfortunately, her love life and career didn’t coincide with the direction she was going, and she had no choice but to put her career first. While she isn’t longing for company, there is a need to question whether she is happy being married to her work now, with a mistress being whatever man she is dating.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Anything’s Possible.”
Paula
Paula is a widow and a very strong-willed and opinionated woman. However, since her last conversation with Celeste almost a year ago, she has changed. It isn’t 100% clear if she has changed from the surface to the core, but life has made her think and act differently, and it seems she no longer acts solely to her benefit.
- The actor is also known for their role in “The Chi: Season 6.”
Kyle
Kyle is Paula’s son, Celeste’s ex-fiance, a professor at Georgetown on a tenure track, who found himself torn between his talents, his mom’s wishes, and a woman he loved but was leaving to progress in her career.
- The actor is also known for their role in “P-Valley: Season 2.”
Carol
Carol is Paula’s cousin who lives in a rural part of Pennsylvania with her husband where she runs a bed and breakfast.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Our Kind Of People.”
Andrea
Andrea is Celeste’s second on a major project.
Phil
Phil is an attorney and Celeste’s current boyfriend.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Rolling Into Christmas.”
Other Noteworthy Information
Where To Watch This:- “Albany Road” Contains: Drinking, Drug Use, Smoking
- The director is also known for “Kemba.”
- The writer is also known for “Bel-Air.”
Review
Our Rating: Positive (Worth Seeing)
Audience
“Albany Road,” despite being set in the winter, isn’t a holiday movie. However, like most holiday movies, it focuses on family and family drama. Specifically, as the year ends, people questioning how they lived their lives and whether they should steer them in a different direction. So, if you like reflective people with dramatic scenes, this is for you.
Highlights
It Moves Beyond How Corny It Could Seem
Early on, there is a sense that this will be corny due to how Celeste acts. Whether she is ducking and dodging Paula at the airport, how she interacts with her new boyfriend, Phil, or her conversations with her associate Andrea, a lot of comedy pushes the idea that “Albany Road” isn’t serious.
However, as time goes on, you can see the comedy get refined, and the characters evolve into people. The type who still have their moments where it seems some things are played for the camera and an audience reaction, but far better than what your initial expectations might have been.
Surprisingly, It Uses Its Two Hour Plus Time Length Well
“Albany Road” works through three acts, with things getting progressively more dramatic and less funny as time goes on. We begin with Celeste’s foundation and what her life is like, paired with her road trip with Paula. From there, we meet Carol, and the second act focuses on what happens in her home. Then, to finish things, we see a lot of reflections, the aftermath of the climax, and a lot of reflection about what truly matters to people.
Now, I’d be the first to tell you if a 2+ hour movie had too much fat in it, and at times, I’ll admit, the scenes in Carol’s house can feel like they could have been cut for time. From an Amish couple who show up to some of the surprises throughout the second act, you can see “Albany Road” is still shedding the tone the first act had, which feels like your run-of-the-mill holiday movie. But, by the time the second act ends, while some of the decisions you may disagree with, it allows for a third act where you are fully invested in the resolution.
It’ll Make You Cry
Between the second and third act, prepare for tears if you are a cry-baby/emotional person like I am. I won’t get into the how and why, for you’ll likely pick up on it early on. But let’s just say, those expected to carry the weight of what takes you to a vulnerable place handle it with ease and will make you wish they had more opportunities to play roles that call for more from them than a recognizable face.
How Smooth Kyle’s Lines Are
Between Swanson’s writing and Nicholsons’ deliver, it will make you wish Nicholsons’ agent got him into more romance movies for the man can make a person swoon. Kyle’s flashback scenes with Celeste? The one-liners he has throughout the movie? If Nicholason is anywhere near your type, you might be whispering “Jesus” as he says some things.
Review Summary
Despite a long run time and a rough beginning, “Albany Road” delivers in crafting a story and characters you can get invested in, cry over, and maybe make you swoon, depending on your taste.
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The Gist
The TLDR Recap/ Review
- It has been a year since Celeste and Kyle broke up, with his mom, Paula, was a strong influence over why that happened.
- But, by unfortunate chance, when Celeste needs a rental, the last one available, to head to DC, so does Paula and they end up riding together.
- This journey coerces them to reconcile what happened and question and challenge their futures, especially regarding Kyle.
- When it comes to “Albany Road,” don’t let its 2+ hour length keep you away; it uses its length well through a three-act structure.
- The first keeps things light and comical, and things get progressively dramatic as we go beyond the surface with all the characters.
- And for those worried this is a holiday or faith movie, while produced by Faith Filmworks and taking place in the winter, religion or holidays aren’t part of the narrative.
- More so, “Albany Road” confronts its characters with taking accountability for their actions or inaction and making the right choice even when it requires veering off their set path.
- Ultimately, giving you a film that will make you laugh, cry, and, thanks to Kyle, maybe even swoon at times.
Albany Road
Director: Christine Swanson
Date Created: 2024-11-15 12:43
4.21
Pros
- It Moves Beyond How Corny It Could Seem
- Surprisingly, It Uses Its Two Hour Plus Time Length Well
- It’ll Make You Cry
- How Smooth Kyle’s Lines Are
