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Such a Long Journey

1998·Movie
1h 53min
IMDb7.2Metacritic74–Rotten Tomatoes93%88%

Where to watch

HooplaFandango at Home FreeTubi TV

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

Such a Long Journey fingerprint

Strong craft, striking style, a touch of humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension5
  • Fast Pace5
  • Adrenaline4

Heart

Melancholic and nostalgic

Much of it is about family.

  • Melancholy8
  • Nostalgia8
  • Family Dynamics8

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay5
  • Satire & Parody4
  • Situational Comedy3

World

History, family, and politics

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout performances and characters

  • Acting8
  • Character Depth8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensComfort WatchThought-Provoking

Find more like it

Melancholic moviesBittersweet moviesAtmospheric movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

A country on the brink of war...a family torn apart...and one man in the middle

The story, set in 1971 at the time of the war between India and Pakistan, is based on the novel of the same name by Rohinton Mistry, an Indian now living in Toronto. "Such a Long Journey" takes place mostly in and around a large apartment complex, its courtyard and the street, which the municipal authorities want to widen so that even more choking diesel fumes can cloud the air. We meet the hero, Gustad (Roshan Seth), in the process of defending the old concrete wall that protects his courtyard from the street, and later he strikes a bargain with an itinerant artist (Ranjit Chowdhry), who covers the wall with paintings from every conceivable religious tradition, with the thought that all of the groups represented will join in defending the wall.
Historical DramaFamily SagaIndia-Pakistan WarSocial CommentaryPolitical IntrigueNostalgicCharacter-DrivenEmotional

Crew

Directed by:
Sturla Gunnarsson
Written by:
Sooni Taraporevala
Produced by:
Simon MacCorkindale, Paul Stephens
Composed by:
Jonathan Goldsmith, Lou Solakofski, Donna Powell

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Such a Long Journey

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Such a Long Journey legally?

HooplaFandango at Home FreeTubi TV

You can watch it free with ads on Hoopla, Fandango at Home Free, and Tubi TV. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Such a Long Journey worth watching?

69
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 69/100 (IMDb 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes 93%, and Metacritic 74). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

How long is Such a Long Journey?

1 h 53 min

Such a Long Journey runs 1 h 53 min.

Is Such a Long Journey based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

Do critics and audiences agree on Such a Long Journey?

Critics84
Audiences80

Yes. Critics average 84 and audiences 80 out of 100, so both groups see Such a Long Journey much the same way.

What language is Such a Long Journey in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in Canada, United Kingdom.

In how many countries can I watch Such a Long Journey?

8AUCAGBGGIEMXNZUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Such a Long Journey in 8 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.