Rota sem Saída

Clint Eastwood for me is the master of drama. But I have this feeling that Mel Gibson will soon be taking the baton from him. He has been delivering some really amazing pictures. This was so beautiful. The story was adorable. The acting was great. The cinematography was ok. I honestly don't have anything to complain about.

It sure baffles me that this movie has such a low rating. I don't know what else anyone would want to see in this, that would lead them to give it anything less than 6.

Alot of times I had to stop myself from shredding tears. That should tell you how invested I was with this one.

If you love drama, twisted love story, fate, then this movie is for you.

Sometimes when you've lost everything, you have nowhere to go but up. Other times when you've lost everything, you just want to get to the next day. This film is deep. Two people from different lives that end up intersecting in the depths of bad times. The story telling is natural, pulls you in. It's hard to find the bad guy because everyone is hurting. Regret, attempts toward redemption, the support of family because they truly love you. Lots of stages of life shown here. Lots of coping with poor choices and attempts to find a new way. Attempts to reconcile wherever you are right now. This film has some deep feelings and heartfelt dialog mixed in with some gritty action. Great acting, excellent directing, and just the right amount of musical score. A good film that should be given a chance.

So be prepared to be pleasantly surprised... Garret Hedlund is maybe at his best in years as the ex-con Russel trying to make amends when he hurtled back into his past by the arrival of troubled young mother Maben (Fitzgerald) and her daughter.

Complicating things are run ins with Larry who is out for revenge (Hurst) as well as reconnecting with his ex wife Sarah ( Thomas) who is now re married ; which is actually really moving scene. Mel Gibson lends his star power to his brief yet effective screen time as Russels Dad. Complaints range mostly for the unnecessary heavy handed semotional score.

Struggling single mom Maben (Willa Fitzgerald) and her young daughter Annalee return to their home town in the deep south. She tries prostitution at the nearby truck stop when she's picked up by a sheriff deputy. The deputy rapes her and calls for his friends. She manages to steal his gun and shoot him dead. Meanwhile, Russell (Garrett Hedlund) is released from prison and goes home to his father Mitchell (Mel Gibson).

I hate that one giant coincidence in the middle of this movie. It could be lessen if he's the one who spots her first. I do love the gritty southern noir style atmosphere. The actors do good work. I'm even fine with Mel in this one. Ryan Hurst is impressively unhinged. The movie is a bit too long at almost two hours and it's stretched too far after the climax. This is very good except for those two issues.

I was surprised, as this one flew under the radar (at least for me) but I really enjoyed this flick.

It's slow burn of a movie with a decent grounded story and good directing. Excellent acting performances all around,

The cast offers excellent performances all around.

Willa Ford was very good at portraying the "damaged" mother. I wasn't familiar with Garrett Hedlund but he was excellent as the quite and remorseful antagonist.

I love Ryan Hurst since Remember the titans and Sons of Anarchy and he doesn't disappoint here Mel Gibson is good as the father and even the little girl is excellent and doesn't take you out of the movie (like it happens a lot).

I really recommend it if you want to experience an unassuming movie that punches above it's weight.