Director Monte Hellman, the artist behind several groundbreaking and intelligent films from the 1960s, 70s, and beyond, has crafted an excellent drama about relationships, betrayal, love, desperation, and movie-making in ROAD TO NOWHERE. On the surface, ROAD TO NOWHERE is about a film director, Mitchell Haven (Tygh Runyan) and the star of his movie, well played by Shannyn Sossamon, and how they cope, together and individually, while shooting a movie recounting an awful crime. Sossamon, who is both strong and enigmatic as the leading lady character must be here, is a star in the making. The backdrop of movie-making, in which Haven deals with cast, crew and external crises or other situations, must have been much like how Hellman has dealt with the intricacies of making a movie.
The good news here is that for all its behind-the-scenes machinations, ROAD TO NOWHERE is not overcooked melodrama or sensationalized but, rather, exquisitely measured. It reminds me of the director's TWO LANE BLACKTOP and IGUANA in that it deals with strong, emotional characters in an unusual situation and setting. Although the underlying crime event has sensational aspects, and showing the making of a movie has its melodramatic moments, Hellman takes a nuanced approach that favors character, and the rest of his cast, including Cliff DeYoung and Fabio Testi in a small role, measure up well. In addition, scenes that are somewhat open-ended allow viewers to draw their own conclusions and interpretations of the characters as the plot gracefully unfolds. This is in response of some reviewers who complain the movie goes nowhere -- they might be better served watching TV movies, in which every plot twist is telegraphed and clichéd. ROAD TO NOWHERE is hardly languid. It bristles with emotion, and with a surprising finale that is not merely violent but packs an emotional gut-wrench.
ROAD TO NOWHERE is also one of those movies worth watching more than once, in order to fully appreciate the layered drama and the artistry of its director.
The good news here is that for all its behind-the-scenes machinations, ROAD TO NOWHERE is not overcooked melodrama or sensationalized but, rather, exquisitely measured. It reminds me of the director's TWO LANE BLACKTOP and IGUANA in that it deals with strong, emotional characters in an unusual situation and setting. Although the underlying crime event has sensational aspects, and showing the making of a movie has its melodramatic moments, Hellman takes a nuanced approach that favors character, and the rest of his cast, including Cliff DeYoung and Fabio Testi in a small role, measure up well. In addition, scenes that are somewhat open-ended allow viewers to draw their own conclusions and interpretations of the characters as the plot gracefully unfolds. This is in response of some reviewers who complain the movie goes nowhere -- they might be better served watching TV movies, in which every plot twist is telegraphed and clichéd. ROAD TO NOWHERE is hardly languid. It bristles with emotion, and with a surprising finale that is not merely violent but packs an emotional gut-wrench.
ROAD TO NOWHERE is also one of those movies worth watching more than once, in order to fully appreciate the layered drama and the artistry of its director.