Land Ho!
Land Ho!

Movie spotlight

Land Ho!

2014
Movie
96 min
English

Martha Stephens and Aaron Katz's buddy comedy Land Ho! follows former brothers-in-law Mitch (Earl Lynn Nelson) and Colin (Paul Eenhoorn) as they travel through Iceland. The pair of 70-year-olds find themselves in need of an adventure to break out of their rut, and soon the extroverted Mitch has talked Colin into the trip. Along the way they have various amorous encounters, and attempt to recapture the spirit of their youth.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes92%
Metacritic77/100
Google Users75%
Director: Martha Stephens, Aaron BrownGenres: Comedy, Drama

Plot Summary

Two mismatched brothers-in-law, Mitch and Earl, embark on a spontaneous road trip across the American Southwest. What begins as a quest for cheap beer and a break from their mundane lives soon evolves into an unexpected exploration of their past regrets and unspoken desires. As they navigate quirky roadside attractions and awkward encounters, their journey becomes a poignant, and often hilarious, confrontation with aging and masculinity.

Critical Reception

Land Ho! was met with widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its naturalistic performances, sharp dialogue, and authentic portrayal of middle-aged male friendships. Critics praised its blend of humor and pathos, noting its indie charm and relatable characters.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its authentic and often hilarious portrayal of male friendship.

  • Appreciated for its naturalistic performances and understated emotional depth.

  • Lauded as a charming and relatable indie comedy-drama.

Google audience: Audiences generally enjoyed the film's humor and the genuine chemistry between the lead actors. Many found the characters' relatable struggles with midlife to be a strong point, though some wished for a more developed plot.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Emerging Visions Audience Award at the SXSW Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The film was largely improvised, with much of the dialogue and scenarios stemming from the real-life personalities and interactions of its two lead actors, Earl Lynn Nelson and Robb "Mitch" Cornett.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review