Are We There Yet? 2005

In the eclectic city of Portland, siblings Lindsey (character) and Kevin Kingston concoct a clever scheme to keep their divorced mother, Suzanne, perpetually unattached until their parents’ relationship is rekindled. Meanwhile, Nick Persons, a rugged individualist with a strong aversion to children, purchases a sleek new Lincoln Navigator and proudly showcases his cherished bobblehead doll of the legendary Satchel Paige, who suddenly springs to life, voicing witty remarks that only Nick can hear. As Nick makes his way to his sports shop, he catches sight of Suzanne across the street and becomes enamored with her striking features.

Later that night, Nick encounters Suzanne again, this time struggling to start her car, and kindly offers to give her a lift home. Over the course of several weeks, their rapport grows stronger as they bond over shared experiences, their mutual trust deepening like the roots of an old tree. On New Year’s Eve, when Nick transports Suzanne to the airport for a business trip to Vancouver, her ex-husband Frank calls, revealing his sudden illness and inability to bring the children to the airport, leaving Suzanne with no choice but to entrust Nick with their care.

As they arrive at her house, Nick meets Lindsey and Kevin once more, their playful dynamic palpable in the air. The trio embarks on a journey to the airport, where Kevin’s curiosity is piqued when he learns that corkscrews, a gift from Nick, are prohibited items on planes. Frustrated by his inability to dispose of the item, Kevin surreptitiously stashes it in Nick’s jacket pocket, leading to a chaotic scene as security personnel tackle Nick. In an attempt to salvage the situation, they decide to take a train, but Lindsey and Kevin jump off at the last moment to collect a prized cape from their action figure, forcing Nick to leap off the train and abandon their luggage in the process. With no other option, they opt for a road trip adventure instead.

As Kevin and Lindsey continue to misbehave, believing that their supposed mother’s friend, Nick (played by [actor name]), is nothing more than a mere acquaintance. Their perception of him is shattered when they overhear his phone call, revealing that he harbors a deep-seated hatred for them and has been dishonest about his feelings towards their mother. Seething with rage, Kevin fakes an asthma attack to lock Nick out of the car, while Lindsey attempts to drive away, but her inexperience behind the wheel forces Nick to give chase, scaling the rooftop in pursuit. As they speed away from him, Lindsey’s reckless driving culminates in a crash into a life-sized butcher statue, with its axe delivering a painful blow to Nick’s groin.

Undeterred, Nick pursues them through the woods and down a treacherous mountain road, his frustration mounting as he struggles to keep pace. Eventually, they signal for truck driver Al Buck, who mistakenly assumes they are being kidnapped, causing Nick to inadvertently drive his car into the trees, where it suffers significant damage. Overwhelmed by his misfortunes, Nick’s anger boils over.

As Kevin and Lindsey arrive at their father’s home, they discover that he has not only fabricated his illness but has already started a new family. Feeling abandoned and forgotten, they begin to warm up to Nick as he does with them, sharing a poignant moment when he reveals that his own father had abandoned him. Despite the growing bond between them, they continue to face various mishaps on their journey.

During a particularly eventful stop, Kevin’s sugar-fueled enthusiasm culminates in a violent vomiting episode, which Nick and Lindsey clean up before moving on. As they pause by a roadside pond, Kevin and Nick feed a deer cookies, while Lindsey, armed with a camera, inadvertently startles the animal with her flash. The startled deer turns on Nick, causing him to lose his car keys.

As frustration boils over, Nick attempts to hotwire the car using his lighter, but in a moment of chaos, he accidentally tips it over, setting off a chain reaction that results in the car’s destruction by fire and explosion. Seething with anger, Nick directs his ire at the children before quickly calming down and offering an apology.

Despite the ups and downs they’ve experienced together, Kevin, Lindsey, and Nick press on, their bond growing stronger as they navigate the twists and turns of their journey.

As the wreckage of their vehicle smolders in the distance, Nick, still clinging to hope, attempts to procure a ride from Al Buck. However, his plea falls on deaf ears, as Al’s suspicion of Nick’s supposed kidnapping escapades prompts him to leave the latter behind, opting instead to flee the scene. Undeterred, Nick seizes an opportunity to hitch a ride with Ernst, a billboard truck driver, whose vehicle provides a temporary sanctuary from the harsh realities of their situation.

Meanwhile, back at the scene of the crime, Al’s absence serves as the catalyst for chaos, as Kevin and Lindsey unleash their pent-up frustration upon him. The ensuing chase culminates in Vancouver, where Nick faces off against Al in a tense, physical confrontation. Amidst the mayhem, Kevin’s asthma attack suddenly takes center stage, leaving him writhing in distress. With his friend’s life hanging in the balance, Nick springs into action, employing his quick thinking to revive Kevin and restore order.

In the aftermath of this ordeal, Suzanne’s resolve begins to waver, as she questions her initial trust in Nick. However, it is Satchel’s words of wisdom that ultimately guide her back onto the path of understanding. With a newfound appreciation for the bonds forged between Nick and the children, Suzanne makes the bold decision to seek him out at his hotel, eager to bid farewell and express her gratitude. As the clock strikes midnight, marking the onset of a new year, Suzanne’s confession is met with a romantic kiss, leaving Lindsey and Kevin beaming with delight.