It’s been a hot minute since we’ve seen a good ol’ road trip movie. Whether you prefer the sobering countryside blues of Nomadland or the unabashedly sweet Little Miss Sunshine, this dramedy genre offshoot has plenty to offer its viewers. Nestled comfortably between an achingly realistic exploration of mental health and overcoming one’s insecurities, For When You Get Lost strikes the perfect balance, offering a journey worth taking and characters worth remembering.
June (Jennifer Sorenson) is caught between a rock and a hard place when an attempt to do the unthinkable is thwarted by ex-boyfriend Jack (Brian Thomas Smith). Adding to her distress is a phone call she receives from her ailing father (Mark L. Taylor), which signals dark times ahead for the entire family. In an attempt to right some past wrongs, June races to see him with her estranged sisters Cami (Elizabeth Alderfer) and Mikey (Aja Bair) in tow.
Based on a real road trip that writer and star Jennifer Sorenson once took under similar circumstances, For When You Get Lost relies on the unpredictability of the path ahead to shape its life lessons. The film makes good on its promise of a picturesque drive, featuring beautifully captured landmarks of the West Coast and a pair of well-matched performances to carry a very emotional story. While Mikey can sometimes feel left out of the mix in the grand scheme of things, Cami and June are the quintessential uneasy travel buddies, carrying decades-worth of burden that gradually bubbles to the surface. Alderfer’s portrayal of Cami gradually transforms her prickly exterior into a more accepting and empathetic outlook, while June frequently grapples with her poor mental state. Not only is she unable to forgive those around her, but she has trouble forgiving herself for past shortcomings. It’s this dynamic that Sorenson’s screenplay hinges on, and it brilliantly unravels in some touching and surprisingly humorous scenarios.
The film is incredibly funny, skillfully balancing between raunchy jokes and more traditional sitcom gags through brewery stops and coastal shenanigans. It has the uncanny ability to make you chuckle at things you maybe shouldn’t be, making it a perfect watch for those who prefer their comedy on the darker side. Yet it all goes on to serve June’s transformation, and with Michelle Steffes’s deft direction, it makes for a contemplative experience that values the journey, just as much as the destination.
Hitting the sweet spot when it comes to the road trip film formula, For When You Get Lost is a beautifully bumpy ride filled with self-discovery.
