On Our Way (2023) – Movie Review and Summary (with Spoilers)

[Unless Said Otherwise] Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.

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While at times slow-moving, the love story between Rosemary and Henry will make you swoon, just as much as Michael Richardson plays up a tortured soul type.

Director(s)	Sophie Lane Curtis
Screenplay By	Sophie Lane Curtis
Based On	N/A
Date Released (Video On Demand)	May 19, 2023
Genre(s)	Drama, Romance, Young Adult
Film Length	1 Hour 31 Minutes
Content Rating	Not Rated
Noted Characters and Cast
Henry Richardson	Micheál Richardson
David Adler	Keith Powers
Mr. Adler	Paul Ben-Victor
Rosemary Childs	Sophie Lane Curtis
Johnny Richardson	James Badge Dale
Ruby Richardson	Jordana Brewster

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Film Summary

For over six years, Henry and his best friend David have been trying to get Henry’s first feature film, “The Lost Boys of South Fork,” made. It is a personal project, a retelling of Henry’s life but spun up to brighten the more dark points, if not omit them altogether. Originally, what is a turning point for the team is Mr. Adler, David’s adopted dad, deciding he’ll finance the film as long as he owns it, but then there is Henry’s friend-turned-girlfriend auditioning for the female lead and nailing it.

However, as Mr. Adler decides to change the ending, which shifts the film’s tone, Henry has to recollect the dark period of his life, which threatens the movie and his relationships.

Things To Note

Why Is “On Our Way” Rated Not Rated

• Dialog: There is cursing throughout
• Violence: Minor threats of violence and a suicide
• Sexual Content: Henry and Rosemary have sex scenes, of which you’ll see Sophie Lane Curtis topless.
• Miscellaneous: There is drinking and smoking

Character Descriptions

Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.

Henry

Henry has lived quite a life. When he was ten, his mom, Ruby, moved him to France, where he stayed until he was 17. Eventually, however, he returns to South Fork to live with his dad, which wasn’t a healthy environment. But, despite their relationship, and the trauma his dad, Johnny, caused, Henry never lost his love for making films to tell a story, specifically his story. Which with his first feature, he is hoping to cement a new version of the events of his life.

• You May Also Know The Actor From Being: Renny in “Big Dogs” and The Musician in “Vox Lux.”

David

David was a victim of Henry at one time after Henry stole from him, but over many years, they formed a friendship, and now David is the producer of Henry’s first movie.

• You May Also Know The Actor From Being: Eric in “The Perfect Find,” Ugly in “Door Mouse,” and Jordan Wilder in “Famous in Love.”

Mr. Adler

Mr. Adler is a hedge fund guy with some entertainment business knowledge. Because of this, he decides to finance Henry’s production, especially since his adopted son, David, strongly advocates for Henry and gives Mr. Adler complete control over the film.

• You May Also Know The Actor From Being: Major G. Halstead in “Emancipation,” Maury Gold in “Vinyl,” and Stan McQueen in “In Plain Sight.”

Rosemary

Since Rosemary was a child, she wanted to be an actress. This stemmed from her performances causing a twinkle in her mom’s eye, like a firefly, and considering the troubles her mom went through, giving people hope has long been a goal of Rosemary. Which is why, when she meets Henry at the costume store she works in, she tries to keep his hope alive.

• You May Also Know The Actor From Being: Tony in “Vox Lux” and Chastity in “The Art of Getting By.”

Johnny

Johnny is Henry’s father, who his mom deemed a “Lost Boy” due to his inability to grow up and be the man she wanted.

• You May Also Know The Actor From Being: Ray Abruzzo in “Hightown,” James Lasombra in “The Empty Man,” and Ian in “Little Woods.”

Ruby

Ruby is Henry’s mom, who was a singer, a little bit of a dancer, and had bigger dreams than South Fork could hold, and dreams too big for Johnny to grasp onto.

• You May Also Know The Actor From Being: Mia in the “Fast & Furious” franchise, Faye in “Sumulant,” and Maureen Cahill in “Lethal Weapon.”

Review

Our Rating: Positive (Worth Seeing)

Highlights

It’s Artsy Without Being Pretentious Or Boring

“On Our Way” has that indie pop or alternative sound, which, similar to classical music, creates the kind of vibe where you can feel at peace. However, the peace doesn’t lead you into a stupor and off to sleep. More so, it is part of crafting an aesthetic as we watch Henry do nothing but spend time with Rosemary or make his movie, and you see what isn’t a dramatic but sometimes fun life with a good soundtrack to match.

The Tightrope That Is Henry Being A Tortured Soul On The Mend

With that said Henry isn’t a happy character. From his mom’s death, his deeply complicated, if not traumatizing, relationship with his dad, his criminal past, and more, Henry is clearly a bit of a tortured soul. However, he isn’t pursuing some sort of bad-boy appeal, like you see in “After” and films adapted from Wattpad.

Rather, what Henry reveals himself as is someone who wants to take back his narrative, put a positive spin on things, and what he can’t spin, he wants to bury and let the truth stay dead. In many ways, you understand and respect it, for Henry clearly doesn’t want to be defined by his mistakes or the decisions he made to stay alive. Yet, at the same time, I appreciate that Henry’s past isn’t used to give him an edge but shows growth. That is, alongside showing that from a third party, as shown by Mr. Adler, you could easily paint a negative picture of Henry. However, if he gets to tell you his truth, both the highlights and low points, you can see and understand him as a human being.

Rosemary and Henry’s Chemistry

Rosemary and Henry’s chemistry is damn near perfect. It isn’t the kind of relationship built off both actors being attractive but having actual chemistry. It makes the playfulness as beautiful as when they are just hanging out and talking about personal topics. Add in when they say they love one another, it isn’t this grandeur thing, but it feels like watching two teenagers, scared they may not hear it back? It creates an understated romance that doesn’t want to be put on a pedestal but actually feel like something obtainable and real.

On The Fence

Wishing You Got A Bit More From Certain Characters

When it comes to David and Rosemary, we’re giving tidbits about them which pushes you to wish they explored the topic more. David being adopted, for example, leads you to wonder what led to him being in the position to be adopted? His relationship with Mr. Adler seems strained, but is that just because he wasn’t around much, or is there more to it?

Then with Rosemary, her mom appears to be a recovering alcoholic, and she may have issues with her dad, like Henry. However, while she can’t be written off simply as Henry’s love interest, many missed opportunities exist to put them on a more even playing field. So considering her actress is also the writer and director, yet she gave the weight of the film to the male lead, it’s confusing, but you come to live with it.

How Were The Twists & Ending?

There aren’t any real twists when it comes to “On Our Way,” but the ending does put you in a bit of a melancholy state due to all the things Henry has gone through. However, with him still having a light in his life, similar to a firefly, you see him continue to push on, which does give you a silver lining of hope.

If You Like This Movie, We’d Recommend
Movie Name	Starring	Brief Description
God Help The Girl	Emily Browning	A musical about a troubled young woman who finds joy and friendship through two outcast that form a band with her.
2 Hearts	Jacob Elordi	A dual love story featuring an adult man and teenage boy who find love, but thanks to a health issue, both end up in the hospital where their stories collide.
Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind	Jim Carrey and Kate Winslett	A man, to get over his ex, decides to erase all memories of her and, in the process, finds himself reliving the memories and questioning if he truly wants his ex wiped from his mind.

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