Three strangers end up in the same car for several days, going south on a path parallel to the Mississippi River.  None would admit to making a conscious decision to share each other's company, or even having ever made an important decision in their lives.  All are sad, lonely, outsiders who have no destination or are afraid to admit to themselves they do.  One is 15 year old Martine (Kristen Stewart) who gets in the car to make her boyfriend, her father, anyone worry about where she may have gone off to.  Another is an awkward young man who calls himself a Native American Indian.  Gordy (Eddie Redmayne) feels he just has to see more, as his native spirit demands.  Still another is ex-con Brett (William Hurt), just out of prison and wondering if he even has a home to go to.  Since Brett is the oldest, and since he let it be known he had been in prison, the other two are most curious about his background and listen to his story as they travel towards the Gulf.

     While these misfits travel and listen, and view through Brett's mind's eye the memory of his life with his one love, May (Maria Bello), they all go through a learning experience and grow into more self-confident, mature individuals who become more capable of loving and being loved.  With little to no sentimentality and a simple, human story, we take the thoughtful, slow pace ride to the next part of their lives.  I hate to divulge more of this story, but prefer you take a seat in the back of Gordy's convertible with them.  Be patient with Gordy's nerdish bravado, Martine's sullen unhappines, and with the languid unfolding of Brett's relationship with May.  Please don't be as resistant as they are to accepting each other.  Let them take their own sweet time in opening up and revealing themselves.  Enjoy the ride.