The Only Way Out

The Only Way Out is a CBS TV movie about likeable family man, Jeremy (John Ritter) who is going through a divorce with Lynn (Stephanie Faracy). Unfortunately, Tony (Henry Winkler) turns up and starts stalking and bullying everyone involved.

The film is fairly long for a 90s TV movie at around 100 minutes, but doesn't outstay its welcome. While this isn't a pulse-pounding Psycho-thriller it is well-paced and entertaining enough to recommend a watch. Winkler definitely comes across as unhinged and is an inspired casting choice, as he is best known for playing comedy roles or nice guys. In The Only Way Out he is a charming psychopath. We can see this from the start were at a BBQ\Garden party he is a bit creepy, but we aren't sure to what extent. Winkler has eccentric mannerisms and wears Hawaiian shirts. I was reminded of Jim Carrey in films like 'The Cable Guy' were he manages to be over the top, but still a bit scary in a sociopathic way. Winkler manages to avoid campy acting by reeling it in at the right moments. A scene were he smashes various possessions in Lynn's house could have easily have been a laughable scene instead it is quite disturbing.

John Ritter is basically the archetypal family man trying to do the best for his three children and Susannah (Julianne Phillips) is believable as his new eye candy girlfriend. We really feel for him when Susannah pleads with him to let his wife deal with psychopath Tony.

This isn't a great film, but there are quality performances. Stephanie Faracy is really underrated and carries some of the lesser scenes. The chemistry is also really good between the actors\actresses which makes for a convincing love triangle. Like most TV Movies it is a bit cheesy, but it is solidly scripted, nicely acted and the production values are much higher than I expected, no cardboard sets or cap gun shootouts here. It's a shame this film is hard to see, but I think it's worth it.

After watching it again, I wanted to write a more extensive review about this, here we see how Jeremy constantly has to solve the mess that Lynn creates ,even to the point that he himself is threatened, she does not want to listen to him until it is too late is, at that moment even his current girlfriend abandons him.

A pretty realistic scenario in which 1 basic principle is very clear, regardless of the incredibly bad relationship decisions that women make, the man is expected to solve them.

Do women really choose bad boys over good guys ? You almost start to believe that because Lynn fights more for this relationship with Tony to work but her ex husband Jeremy the good guy is dumpt

Ritter is doing well as Jeremy, but Henry Winkler really steals the show as the somewhat strange Tony who, over time, turns out to be a true scary narcissistic psychopath.

The film's downside is that no backstory and information is given about the past between Lynn and Tony.

The ending is unfortunately quite unsatisfactory.

Jeremy Carlisle (John Ritter) and his ex-wife Lynn (Stephanie Faracy) are doing a pretty good job keeping things amicable between the two of them. She has the three kids and both of them have found new lovers. Jeremy has Susannah (Julianne Phillips) and Lynn has Tony (Henry Winkler). Thing is Tony is a man not to be fooled with and Jeremy feels his own children are under danger so he tries to do what he can to protect them and in the end his own life.

Ritter is good as the protective father, but this TV movie is really an opportunity for Winkler to shine in a very different role than I have seen him in. He is not playing The Fonz here. And he does a pretty good job as well. Director Rod Hardy also adds a certain realism I would say in how lines of dialogue are delivered and social aspects going on in the movie.

So if you are a Winkler fan or even thriller fans I would certainly suggest this movie if you can find it.

Ritter and Winkler are the best TV actors of all time. There's no beating Jack Tripper and the Fonz. So putting them together is sure to be great, right? Them doing a serious movie would be a good change for them, right? WRONG!! I don't get how such good and accomplished actors could do something so bad. This movie is about Ritter's ex-wife who is trying to stay away from her lunatic boyfriend, played by Winkler. Ritter must do all he can to protect his family. This has been done a few times and always comes out with great results. One reason why this is bad is the acting. Everybody acts like such a stunned wussy and they give up on the authority too easily. I did not buy how easily they chickened out and gave up on the authority. If they had any integrity or any self respect, they would have fought for justice. Then there was Winkler who I thought was the only good actor. The rest of my family thought he was as bad as the rest. I guess it was just because he was the only interesting person. Sure he was the villain, but he provided the cool factor. So if he wasn't good, at least he was cool.

On the upside, the cinematography and filming did a great job in creating excitement and capturing the suspense this movie was going for.

1/4

The film is slightly above average.

Plenty of suspense, a well played bad guy, and a family being terrorised by his obsession.

The worst thing is seeing the Fonz being totally uncool. Unless you derive pleasure from the Happy Days icon acting a complete jerk, you are going to find it all a bit much to take in. Its a bit like when you find out that Santa and the tooth fairy are part of the magic of childhood. Depressing.

It is a TV movie anyway, and you'll only be reading this if it's on your listings this week....

Its worth a look, but not worth much more...