BONNEVILLE
A charming, slow-moving road trip best saved for home.
Should You Watch It?
BONNEVILLE has a warm, comfortable feel, but it struggles to make the speed limit. The story moves slowly and offers little invention. What keeps it watchable is the combined strength of Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, and Joan Allen, supported by Tom Wopat and Tom Skerritt.
The film presents women with strong religious and moral values, then tests those convictions against desire, alcohol, gambling, and other worldly compromises. That tension gives the road trip something to discuss, though the messages are mixed.
For your family, this is a better home viewing choice than a theater trip. Older children and adults may appreciate its bittersweet charm, while viewers wanting energy or fresh storytelling may come away disappointed.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESAfter her husband dies, Arvilla must honor his final wish by scattering his ashes at places that held special meaning for them. His daughter, Francine, wants the ashes returned to California—and threatens to sell Arvilla’s home if she refuses.
Arvilla’s best friends, Margene and Carol, join her for support. When the women miss their flight, they set out in Bill’s well-kept Bonneville for a revealing road trip through Idaho, Utah, and California.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means BONNEVILLE is watchable and often appealing, but noticeably limited. Lange, Bates, and Allen bring enough acting power to make the low-energy, slow-paced story entertaining. Their performances give the film dignity and poise.
Tom Wopat and Tom Skerritt also provide helpful supporting performances. Still, the movie is rather plodding and uninventive. It has the warmth of a favorite worn sweater, along with a few holes and stains.
The Worldview
BONNEVILLE presents its central women as Mormons with strong religious and moral values. Those values are tested by the lure of the world, including lustful thoughts, gambling, and alcohol. The film shows a religious perspective with some Christian parallels, but it does not address the more controversial aspects of Mormon theology.
The movie’s strongest moral tension comes from the gap between conviction and compromise. The women want to live by what they believe, yet their choices and desires do not always match those beliefs. That conflict is worth discussing, even though the film’s message remains mixed.
Its longing for faithfulness and moral steadiness points toward a biblical warning: “Do not love the world or the things in the world” (1 John 2:15).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Dominant moral worldview occasionally challenged by common worldly compromises, plus a false religious perspective from a Mormon point of view having some Christian parallels is also shown, though without dealing much with the more controversial aspects of Mormon theology; three obscenities and profanities; some brief light violence resulting from the attempted theft of a purse, involving some back and forth tussling resulting in a mild injury; no actual sexual activity other than a couple of tasteful kisses, but there is some innuendo and depiction of lustful attitudes; no nudity, brief alcohol use; no smoking or drugs; and, attempted stealing of a purse.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The women’s convictions are tested by lust, gambling, and alcohol. What helps a person remain faithful when compromise looks appealing?
1 Corinthians 10:13 · James 1:14–15Arvilla wants to honor her husband’s final wish while facing pressure from his daughter. How should we balance faithfulness to a promise with wisdom in a difficult situation?
Matthew 5:37 · Proverbs 3:5–6The film presents a religious perspective with Christian parallels. How can we recognize truth while also testing every teaching against Scripture?
Acts 17:11 · 1 Thessalonians 5:21The journey is shaped by grief, friendship, and memories. How can friends help one another walk through loss faithfully?
Romans 12:15 · Galatians 6:2The Final Word
BONNEVILLE is a gentle, bittersweet road movie lifted by three talented actresses, but its slow pace and mixed messages make it a better home viewing choice. Older children and adults may find warmth here, provided they are ready for the film’s compromises. Our answer is WAIT FOR HOME. For other family movie-night options, see.
