No Way Home

They said Tim Roth was yet to turn in a bad performance back in the late nineties. I truly know he never will. He is one of my favorite actors, and No Way Home is a film that deserves much more recognition, it's cinema release hardly noticed. It is a low key film as in cinema appeal. It's a more dramatized sort of movie, with a straight forward plot. Ex con Roth, playing another vulnerable type, and he does it, bloody well here, has just got out of prison. His bad arse older brother (Russo) begrudgingly takes him in, where too the misses (Unger) isn't hot on him staying with them. She too is a stripper, Unger appearing in more and more movies around this time. Now Russo, who's into selling drugs, and owing money, is not really providing the best environment for Roth who has to report to a PO, who tells him, "I can pop up at your place anytime. I don't need a warrant. I don't need a reason". So you can imagine what ensues. Unger is hot why doing a gig for an old guy's birthday, where Roth tags along. Startling truths about that night, prior to Roth ending up in the can, surface, even an old girlfriend hating him, for taking the rap. Heavy bits of impactful gore here and there, it's start, reminding you, prison's no picnic. Yes I do say No Way Home is a simplified drama, all it's bits of plot and story, nothing new, but if you love Tim Roth, it's worth it for seeing another splendid performance, this one at his most vulnerable, it's kind of demeaning, the character, this fine brave actor plays.

It's Tim Roth, who steals the show in No Way Home. The film in itself is very good, and it manages to balance emotion and action very nicely. But it wouldn't be anything special without Roth. I believe he is in a role which he can act the best, an "awkward" guy. This is a film which deserves a DVD-release, and hopefully so will happen.

Let me just get this outta the way. *ahem* This movie has two scenes where someone gets kicked in the nuts. Two! For someone like myself, that's reason enough to check it out. But if you wanna know what it's about and blah blah blah, I suppose keep reading.

After spending some time in the cooler Joey is now released and is looking to get his life back on track. He ends up heading home, and reunites with his brother. Staying at his bro's until he finds steady work all seems fine, that is until he begins realizing the outside world is still as unforgiving and selfish as it was before.

No Way Home was a good flick. It had a lowkey and unpredictable Tim Roth running the show with a decently solid supporting cast bringing up the rear. At first the movie tends to feel like it's trying too hard (overacting), but it hits a pretty serious groove and it begins becoming a very solid flick. Most probably due to the increase in sex, adult-themed conversations and gritty violence.

With some surprising developments, some nice attention to realism, and a couple kicks in the groin, this should be a nice viewing for anyone who enjoys serious drama. Tim Roth being the lead doesn't hurt the flick much either.

Tim Roth (Hoodlum, Reservoir Dogs) stars as a recently paroled prisoner who goes home to his older brother who has gotten married when he was in prison. His brother, played by James Russo (Donnie Brasco, Panther) lets him live with them which doesn't please his wife, very well-played by Deborah Kara Unger (The Game, The Hurricane). Soon Unger discovers that Roth is actually a pretty nice guy who is slow in the head, but wants to go legit. His brother continues to sell drugs and may bring Roth back into trouble. The film's main story is the relationships among these three people with the most focus on the brother's relationship. This relationship is especially compelling as you see the love, but also much strain and pain between these two that is revealed later. James Russo creates a very interesting character in the older brother. He isn't a standard bad brother, he obviously cares for Roth, but also will do whatever it takes to make his own life better. Russo is great from start to finish in the role. The always-reliable Tim Roth gives a powerful lead performance as the slow-minded and easily influenced, but nice younger brother. Roth very quickly gains sympathy while creating a compelling character. Highly recommended, but not a feel-good movie.

Just saw this film for the first time, 8-Jan-06. It conveys to me why I like Boys in the Hood and New Jack City. As a self described movie person, who only learned and saw the film maker's art through the lens of the boob tube beginning in the 1960s, I would like to recommend this movie. When the movie opened up, I just assumed a mid USA rust belt city that could be any one of thousand places. Chicago, Gary Indiana, Cleveland, etc. The ending surprised me , in that the cops from NYC showed up at their parents house. The last scenes action did not.

The first half of the film I just could not stop watching. We all grow up with dreams. We all think things will be like they are in the movies. At least the famous ones. The Classics. The reality of Boys in the Hood, New Jack City and The Best Years of Our Lives, later on in the film slaps you in the face. The ending did not do it for me. Every thing leading up the ending was believable. Going back home to the old neighborhood after getting out. Getting hooked up with family. Seeing people moving on, moving to their same end. The girl who was left back and was about to by hooked up to a violent looser like Loraine's 1st husband. Diane marrying a nice quiet boy, like she thought Joey was. Joey looking around and seeing the life he thought he would have. I just could not watch the strip scene with Loraine. The last good scene was Joey and Loraine in the car talking.

I would like to hope the ending was forced on the director because of perceived market forces.