Tennessee (2008)

32% of critics liked it
(22 reviews)
58% of users liked it
(3,686 ratings)

Two brothers set out in search of their estranged father in this road-bound family drama produced by Lee Daniels (Monster's Ball) and starring singer Mariah Carey. As siblings, Carter (Adam Rothenberg) and Ellis (Ethan Peck) never saw eye to eye. Now Ellis has been diagnosed with leukemia, and his… More Two brothers set out in search of their estranged father in this road-bound family drama produced by Lee Daniels (Monster's Ball) and starring singer Mariah Carey. As siblings, Carter (Adam Rothenberg) and Ellis (Ethan Peck) never saw eye to eye. Now Ellis has been diagnosed with leukemia, and his only hope for survival is to track down their estranged father, who lives in Tennessee. Putting their differences aside for the time being, Carter agrees to join Ellis, and together the two siblings decide to hitchhike their way across the country. Along the way, Carter and Ellis cross paths with a waitress named Krystal (Carey), who has put her lifelong dream of becoming a singer on hold for far too long. Somewhere on the road to Tennessee, all three will discover the true power of hope, and the importance of family in times of need. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Aaron Woodley
Written By: Russell Schaumburg
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Jun 5, 2009 Wide
On DVD: Jan 26, 2010
Studio: Vivendi Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
A formulaic indie road drama.
Ben Lyons, At the Movies
The problem with the film is that it is depressing for no real reason.
Ben Mankiewicz, At the Movies
It is a brooding, heavy story that has moments of visual beauty, but is ultimately imbued with a permanent glumness.
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
The good news for Carey is that she gets to prove she's a pretty decent actress after all. The bad news, of course, is that she's done it in a movie no one has any other reason to see.
, New York Post
Two brothers slowly make their way from New Mexico back to their home in Tennessee in a watery indie drama.
Rafer Guzman, Newsday
As a Texas waitress, Carey is convincing -- more so than the film itself.
Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
Mariah Carey is more than just the big star in this small story. She's the warm, charismatic, deliciously down home presence that fills the screen with charm to spare, though her character lacks the attention and depth lavished upon the male protagonists.
Avi Offer, NYC Movie Guru
Has beautiful scenery and brief suspense, but that's not nearly enough to keep you immersed or captivated in the often contrived story or any of its poorly developed characters.
Clay Cane, BET.com
So the big question is -- how was Mariah? Surprisingly, Mrs. Cannon was the light in an otherwise morbid and boring film. She had flair, swagger and a convincing Texas accent.
John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
Too formulaic to be the sort of low-budget film that garners critical buzz or a cult audience; and too 'indie' to click with the mainstream crowd.
Pete Hammond, Hollywood.com
A rewarding and moving small drama with exceptionally fine performances all around.
Gary Thompson, Philadelphia Daily News
Tennessee is occasionally a chore to sit through, but it does yield some third-act rewards for patient viewers, as the characters' willingness to sacrifice for the other is suddenly brought into sharp focus.
Andrew Grant, Time Out New York
Tennessee treads a path similar to other miser-indies (Ballast, Wendy and Lucy), but without the narrative or aesthetic flair to elevate its woefully tired road-trip-to-self-discovery premise.
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine
Serving merely formulaic find-yourself melodrama, the film coasts along lackadaisically.
Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
Mariah Carey is more than just the big star in this small story. She's the warm, charismatic, deliciously down home presence that fills the screen with charm to spare, though her character lacks the attention and depth lavished upon the male protagonists.

Read all 15 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

This was a really good movie, despite that fact that Mariah Carey was in it. She isnt the best actress by any account, BUT the movie around her more than made up for it. The main cast was really talented, and they had me mesmerized. This was a very moving, touching slow paced… More
This was a really good movie, despite that fact that Mariah Carey was in it. She isnt the best actress by any account, BUT the movie around her more than made up for it. The main cast was really talented, and they had me mesmerized. This was a very moving, touching slow paced drama...right up my alley on a dark and dreary morning.
jay n

Dreary and glum with a flicker of hope at the end.