Watch Back Roads
- 2018
- 1 hr 41 min
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6.3 (5,630)
Back Roads is a 2018 drama film directed by Alex Pettyfer, who also stars in the film alongside Robert Patrick, Juliette Lewis, and Jennifer Morrison. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Tawni O'Dell. The story takes place in a small rural town in Pennsylvania, where Harley Altmyer (Pettyfer), a young man struggling to take care of his three younger sisters after their mother is sent to prison for killing their abusive father, finds himself caught in a web of tangled relationships and secrets. Despite his best efforts, Harley cannot keep his family together, and they begin to unravel, one by one.
As the film unfolds, we are introduced to a range of characters who play important roles in Harley's life. There's his father-in-law (Patrick), a hard-drinking man who offers Harley a job at his masonry business; Callie Mercer (Lewis), a single mother who starts a relationship with Harley; and Amber (Morrison), a woman Harley meets through his job who is dealing with her own demons.
Harley becomes increasingly torn between these different relationships, as he tries to navigate the complexities of his own feelings and desires. Meanwhile, his sisters are dealing with their own issues, including a pregnancy, a drug addiction, and the aftermath of years of abuse.
The film is a dark and gritty look at the realities of life in small-town America, where poverty, abuse, and addiction are all too common. It explores themes of family, love, and redemption, as Harley tries to find his way in the world and protect those he cares about most.
One of the standout performances in the film is Robert Patrick's portrayal of Harley's father-in-law, who is both supportive and abusive towards Harley. Patrick brings a level of nuance to the role, making the character more than just a simple villain.
Another strong performance comes from Juliette Lewis, who plays the unconventional Callie with a mix of toughness and vulnerability. Her scenes with Pettyfer are among the film's most heart-wrenching, as the two characters struggle to bridge the gap between their different backgrounds and experiences.
Jennifer Morrison, best known for her role on the TV show House, delivers a solid performance as Amber, a woman struggling to put her life back together after a tragedy. She brings a sense of sadness and longing to the role, making Amber one of the film's most sympathetic characters.
Overall, Back Roads is a powerful and moving film that explores a range of complex issues with sensitivity and depth. Pettyfer's direction is confident and assured, and the performances from the cast are all top-notch. It's a film that will linger with you long after the credits roll.
Back Roads is a 2018 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 42.