Juanita (Alfre Woodard) is fed up with her deadbeat grown kids and marginal urban existence and takes a Greyhound bus to Paper Moon, Montana where she reinvents herself and finds her mojo.
Pam says: What mother hasn’t wanted to run away? (Be honest here!) Juanita is in a dead-end, difficult job caring for elders as she cares for her daughter and her grandbaby as well as her son who, in her words is “half a thug.” Her other son is in prison. She’s a “ghetto cliche.” She’s constantly taken for granted and she’s had enough of caring for everyone but herself and decides to head West. Based on the book by Sheila Williams, the film takes on its own life as Juanita frequently breaks the fourth wall, cluing the viewer into her true thoughts and feelings. Her fantasy life is just as entertaining with Blair Underwood which evolves as she does. It’s a funny, sweet love story that has subtle undertones about life, social issues, and race without being heavy-handed. Woodard is wonderful and Adam Beach portrays Native American Indian Jess, a local chef, with great authenticity. Check out this film on Netflix, streaming now.
