Back Roads

This film draws you in and holds you through to the end. The story is profound, tragic, emotionally multi-layered and all too prevalent in real life. The acting is spot on by all involved, I didnt realize until the end that the lead was also first time directing! Bravo Alex!! Job well done on both accounts and here's to your bravery in tackling a subject this gritty, devastating and true to life, its supurb! For all the lower ratings, this is not a thriller or for immature audiences; I would say they either didnt "get" the film and/or they were looking for a Hollywood thriller worthy of an oscar. Nevermind them, if you are a mature adult who appreciates a well acted, well made film with some dark content then you should definitely see this film.

I think it is important to be aware before you go into this film that it is most definitely a drama and not really a thriller. I think most of the sub 5 star reviews have seen the thriller tag and thought that was what they were going to get. This is a serious drama about child abuse and how it can affect everything and everyone around you and is a brave movie if I may say that. If you are feeling depressed or are expecting something else then I would walk away now and find something else to watch. You definitely have to be in a certain mood to watch this and take it in properly.

The acting from the entire cast was superb especially Alex Pettyfer who carried the movie and directed it but also a scintillating performance from Nicola Peltz and Hala Finley.

The subject is a serious one about child abuse in America and I think how widespread it is around the entire world and gives one pause for thought and to ask questions of the audience which is a good thing. However if you are not in the mood I do not think you will find this an enjoyable experience as it will leave you with a good few dark questions and is not conducive to alleviating your mood if you are in any way feeling down or depressed.

That said its a brave subject to tackle and make a movie about knowing full well that 80% of audiences will not like it and prefer the crash, bang, wallop that society seems to focus on these days which is a shame.

It's classified as a thriller but it's more like dark and disturbing. Family secrets, child abuse, no money, bad parents, hopeless existence. And things got worse as the story moved along. Mom managed to escape, life in prison is a day at the beach compared to what's going on back home. What a sad life for all involved. I give this an 8.

I see some reviewers thought this movie was too slow but to me it was made at the right pace as this is a story that is slowly evolving, from a dramatic beginning to a disturbing climax. The acting was faultless with all the actors and actresses giving a special touch to their characters. The main character Harley Altmyer is played by Alex Pettyfer and he definitely makes this movie worth watching. A traumatized young adult with huge responsabilities discovers the other gender for the first time and that while coping with the things that are haunting him from the past and present. For a drama it was better than I expected.

Great movie. Not sure why people are suggesting its not. Heart wrenching, difficult to watch at times. Clearly didn't have the pressures of a big studio dictating the plot.

Give it a go and you won't be disappointed.