jubob2 This film is a pleasure to watch but a veritable conundrum to figure out. Watching it a second time will sort an incredible amount out. It is told from the point of view of a blogger, a filmmaker, several of the actors, an insurance adjuster and, most interestingly, contains spin-offs of possible plot lines in the mind of the filmmaker. I think this is where most of the confusion comes from. If you like puzzles, this is the film for you. Wonderful acting, interestingly filmed. Trying to sort out the various plot levels becomes the challenge. Those who say there is no method to the madness haven't looked closely enough. Everyone within the film is trying to figure out this crime so it is only fair that the audience is let in on the game as well.

obnxs1 The title says it all. This movie goes nowhere. Unfortunately it doesn't go nowhere fast. I should've seen the writing on the wall considering the movie starts out LITERALLY watching paint dry.From there it only slows down. And devolves to absolutely incredulous stupidity by the major players.Want to switch the same scene three times? This is your movie.Want to wonder how stupid people could possibly be? Yep, watch this.Want to watch paint dry? A full minute of someone tying their shoes? 45 seconds cleaning the garbage out of their car? Film just being run to run film? GET.THIS.MOVIE.Sound intolerable? Save yourself the 2 hours. Trust me. Or don't, but you were warned.

jfrentzen-942-204211 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.

Michael Gates "Monte Hellman's new movie is entitled Road to Nowhere. The title may bring a bittersweet smile to longtime fans of the brilliant director. Half sweet because it would be an apt moniker for most of his dark journeys, while the bitter half comes from the knowledge that the title could also describe a career that has resulted in great films, but with one near-exception has never resulted in the wide acclaim that he deserves. However, after seeing Road to Nowhere, Hellman fans will be smiling unambiguously with pleasure that this latest work represents a strong return to form for this unique filmmaker after over thirty years wandering in the filmmaking wilderness…The movie tells the twisty neo-noir tale of a film crew shooting a true crime saga about a massive scam that ended in multiple deaths. Things get messy when director Mitchell Haven chooses an unknown actress to star in his movie. Mitchell becomes increasingly obsessed with his enigmatic leading lady who may have a secret connection to the actual crime. Mitchell's obsession and her dangerous game lead them both down a rabbit hole from which there is no escape. However, no synopsis can do justice to the Chinese box-like structure of Hellman's work. Careful viewing is required to decipher which events are "real" and what is the film-within-the-film, with even the credits being playfully deceptive. At age seventy-nine, Hellman has created a powerful and haunting work that can stand with his best films…"Dylan Skolnick Long Island Pulse Magazine