Among the best drama’s this year, Back Roads, a heartbreaking movie about a dysfunctional family hits selected screens this weekend. The film is wrought with pathos due to family trauma surrounding a murder and challenging hardships that emanate from the awful event. A must see for the incredible acting, directing, story and cinematography. If you were touched by films like Winter’s Bone and Sling Blade, it’s that kind of slice of life which embodies Back Roads.
Mentally disturbed over the murder of his father by his convicted mother Bonnie Altmyer (Juliette Lewis), Harley Altmyer (Alex Pettyfer) finds himself in charge of his three sisters. Two years later Harley has not been fully recovered over the awful event and still see’s psychologist Betty (June Carryl) for his problems. Although she tries hard to convince Harley he was not responsible, Betty starts to dig deeper into his problems.
Not having been able to attend college due to financial difficulties and doesn’t want his sisters to become fostered, Harley deals with his mundane life working in the local food market. His sisters Amber (Nicola Peltz), 16 years old and promiscuous, has been dressing slutty and encouraging older guys to be intimate with her. Misty (Chiara Aurelia), who’s around 12, lives an ordinary life, but you can tell she is hiding something from her past. His youngest sister, six-year-old Jody (Hala Finley), has braved the ordeal of the murder and has accepted Harley as her father figure.
Keeping the house from being taken from them with what little money he makes and selling off valuables, has been a chore and it’s about to get worse with taxes due. Trying to take his mind off of his problems he meets Callie Mercer (Jennifer Morrison), the mother of a friend of Jody’s, in the market and they start to chat. Callie has been neglected by her husband and it shows in her seductive looks she gives to Harley. It’s a start of a tryst that leads the two on a dangerous road that speeds toward a dead-end.
This is one of those rare films where directors can helm a film and give a great performance in their endeavor. Alex Pettyfer takes great care in developing his characters and giving each of the vital parts plenty of screen time. While Alex has had a good career acting in films like I Am Number Four opposite Timothy Olyphant, and with Mathew McConaughey and Channing Tatum in Magic Mike, he shines here as the star of Back Roads and gets equal performances out of his whole cast.
And what a daring cast he has, as they step forward creating believable characters that compel and deliver the tragic heartbreaking movie. As Amber, Nicola Peltz evolves into a disenchanted teen who lures older men into her life and even her home. Disrespecting Harley, she leads a promiscuous life behind his back, then takes her awful life choices out on him. Typical teen angst, but with an off the chain enactment.
Creating a passionate woman who has been neglected by her husband to the point of enticing a 10 years younger partner, Jennifer Morrison burns up the screen with her sensual performance. As Callie she’s lonely for sex and she doesn’t need much convincing when the virginal Harley locks eyes with her. So pent up with sexual desires, the two make their on screen passions look realistically physical and carnal.
Back Roads has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains, sex, language, profanity, violence and gore. Be cautious when deciding to allow immature children see the film as it does have many scenes that are inappropriate for youngsters.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A very well acted and directed film that should be recognized for honors in at least two major categories categories. (4.5 out of 5 Stars)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Alex Pettyfer, Juliette Lewis, Jennifer Morrison, Nicola Peltz, Robert Patrick, Chiara Aurelia, Hala Finley, June Carryl
Directed by: Alex Pettyfer
Written by: Tawni O’Dell from her book
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 1 hr. 41 min.
Opening Date: December 7, 2018
Distributed by: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Released in: Standard
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
