Just went to the New York premiere last night...
"Road to Nowhere" is artistically designed to be viewed over and over again, as the scenes will piece together like a jigsaw puzzle. Its pace has an addictive nature, much like David Lynch's "Twin Peaks", but conversely, this is perfectly cohesive thematically. It's abstract, dynamically ambitious, yet flawless in its dialogue and divine scripting. This is the best of all of Monte Hellman's films in one, covering all territory and more. Hellman pays strict attention to detail from shot to shot. All of the photography/cinematography is stylish, yet raw and uncut, giving the mood of the film a realistic look under a very experimental screenplay. The story gets complex, a movie within a movie, and sometimes you can't tell which is which as the characters blend, but there's an underlying sense of humor about it all. Scenes go dramatic to funny like you're on the set for the outtakes sometimes, and it's fascinating how the story unfolds like a who-dunnit that is totally unpredictable. Shannyn Sossamon is perfect, and so is the whole ensemble Hellman brings to the screen. Add some great Tom Russell songs and an erratic but beautiful ending, you'll need to see it again and again.
Impressed to say the least, "Road to Nowhere" is as much a homage to the classics as it is the future of filmmaking.
"Road to Nowhere" is artistically designed to be viewed over and over again, as the scenes will piece together like a jigsaw puzzle. Its pace has an addictive nature, much like David Lynch's "Twin Peaks", but conversely, this is perfectly cohesive thematically. It's abstract, dynamically ambitious, yet flawless in its dialogue and divine scripting. This is the best of all of Monte Hellman's films in one, covering all territory and more. Hellman pays strict attention to detail from shot to shot. All of the photography/cinematography is stylish, yet raw and uncut, giving the mood of the film a realistic look under a very experimental screenplay. The story gets complex, a movie within a movie, and sometimes you can't tell which is which as the characters blend, but there's an underlying sense of humor about it all. Scenes go dramatic to funny like you're on the set for the outtakes sometimes, and it's fascinating how the story unfolds like a who-dunnit that is totally unpredictable. Shannyn Sossamon is perfect, and so is the whole ensemble Hellman brings to the screen. Add some great Tom Russell songs and an erratic but beautiful ending, you'll need to see it again and again.
Impressed to say the least, "Road to Nowhere" is as much a homage to the classics as it is the future of filmmaking.