I'm glad I waited to see this on cable. I had heard it was "not as good" as "Tumbleweeds", which essentially tells the same story. I rented "Tumbleweeds" last year and loved it. "Anywhere But Here" is too long, lacks a direct plot, and not even the good acting can save it. Halfway through I picked up a magazine and periodically glanced at the movie between pages - and I didn't miss anything.
The bad points: - the plot was meandering and overall the movie was too long
The good points: - Natalie Portman perfectly underplays her role and thereby gives it much emotional depth
So, my advice is.... SEE TUMBLEWEEDS!
The bad points: - the plot was meandering and overall the movie was too long
- the use of flashbacks to transition scenes instead of to give us new information (example - after telling us that Adele bought the Mercedes for the trip, we flashback to.... you guessed it, Adele buying the Mercedes... for the trip!)
- Bonnie Bedelia is totally wasted in her miniscule role
The good points: - Natalie Portman perfectly underplays her role and thereby gives it much emotional depth
- Susan Sarandon does the best she can (I am a big fan of hers) with a terribly-written role.
So, my advice is.... SEE TUMBLEWEEDS!