The Road Within (2014)

Despite some of the cheesiness and predictability of this film, there were some moments of pure beauty. I don't think the critics quite understood what this film may mean for people with disabilities. It implies that no matter what may hold you back in life, as long as you have friendship, bravery, and commitment, you can strive to achieve pretty much anything.

As Marie (played by Zoë Kravitz), Alex (played by Dev Patel), and Vincent (played by Robert Sheehan) made their way closer to the ocean, they also grew closer together and stronger in their fight against their disabilities. The film was mediocrely structured as it seemed to keep drawing focus away from the overall message. Nevertheless, the message was received by myself and by many others as well.

Gren Wells wrote the characters so accurately, yet so innocently, and was able to make audiences laugh about the disabilities rather than feel uncomfortable about them. Overall I give this film 7/10 stars.

Fmovies: As one who has lived with Tourette's myself and as a parent, I was pleased at how accurately this was portrayed. Robert Sheehan was most impressive and expressive. This actor conveys such sad torture with his eyes whilst in the throes of episode, I just wanted to hug him. Though many with Tourette's display the tics and vocalizing rather than the verbal profanity often used to show example, this film got all angles right. The words of the father in regard to his son made me cry...the writer/director must have dealt with this in life as she got the raw emotion of this disorder from the eyes of both parent and child. The Tic Code starring Christopher Marquette and the late Gregory Hines is another revelation in film focusing on life with and the parenting of one with Tourette's. The way The Road Within ties together OCD, anorexia and Tourette's with these brilliant young performers had me wishing it had debuted bigger and they had received far more accolades for their work. Along with Robert Sheehan, Zoe Kravitz is a study in subtlety without being dull and Dev Patel is all palpable anxiety. Robert Patrick's guilty dad believably shows his true colors and Kyra Sedgwick makes an easy piece as caring clinical director her own. This film should be shown in psychology courses for study.

'THE ROAD WITHIN': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

A remake of the 2010 German drama flick 'VINCENT WANTS TO SEA'; about a teen with Tourette Syndrome, who befriends two other patients (one with OCD and one with anorexia) at the behavioral facility his dad enrolls him in. They steal their doctor's car and embark on a road trip together, to the coast. The film was written and directed by Gren Wells (in her directorial debut) and it stars Robert Sheehan, Dev Patel, Zoe Kravitz, Kyra Sedgwick and Robert Patrick. I enjoyed it immensely.

Vincent (Sheehan) is a teenager, that's suffered from Tourette's disorder; most of his life. His mother, who he was very close to, recently passed away; and his father (Patrick), who he's long resented, wants to enroll him in a special clinic. Once there, he's roomed with Alex (Patel); a young British man, with obsessive compulsive disorder. Alex is furious that he has to share his room with another person, and he immediately takes a disliking to Vincent. Vincent also meets Marie (Kravitz), at the facility, who he's immediately attracted to. Marie has a severe eating disorder, and pretty much won't eat anything. After Marie and Vincent get into trouble, with their doctor (Sedgwick), they decide to steal her car and head to the coast; so Vincent can spread his mother's ashes there. When Alex catches them in the act, they kidnap him and take him along with them.

The movie is equally funny and emotional. It's not overly heartbreaking though; as it has a lot of optimism, and a great deal of compassion (for it's characters). What I really love about the film, though, are the performances; Sheehan, Patel and Kravitz are all amazing in it (and Patrick and Sedgwick aren't bad either). I found the three lead characters to be all very likable, and relatable too, despite their flaws. It's a very touching and well made movie, especially for outsiders and misfits (like most great films are).

Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wOi4IC8bxg

The Road Within fmovies. Two things you should know about this film.

1. It works and you should see it. I don't want to make this more complicated than it needs to be. Humanistic films about an individual's problems set against the backdrop of a "road trip" are a tried-and-true Hollywood formula (think RAIN MAN, one of many) and this is one of the best. The characters are empathetic and engaging, the script is tight, and the direction by Gren Wells shows complete control of colors and settings (reminding me in many ways of the brilliant use of color in the series SENSE8). The two seasoned pros, Patrick and Sedgewick, are great but the young stars are nothing short of magnificent. Just see it.

2. Zoë Kravitz basically channels a young Angelina Jolie from the first moment she appears in frame to the last. Her performance is hypnotic, the camera loves her, you likely will too, and one expects to see a lot of more of her in films and in years to come.

Thoroughly entertaining film. Simple story line. However the characters really build on you. They are interesting. A film with a million facial expressions. Excellent portrayal of facing your demons. Definitely worth watching. The characters are more easily portrayed for the actors due to the illnesses they each carry. They are portrayed as on the extreme of each illness, each being severe. However, the balance is good, surprisingly (and with great humor) it is never too over the top and stays believable. They each struggle with the extra water they try to carry through their lives. The main three deliver a great performance, I felt attached and I must admit I needed to shed a tear.

A very good drama-comedy which mixes the 2 elements of drama and comedy perfectly, which in many cases is not the case

Perfectly cast as well Robert Sheehan is excellent in the lead, you truly believe that he has Tourette's syndrome and Zoe Kravitz just keeps on proving with every movie she makes that she is a force to be reckoned with and I wouldn't be surprised at all if she got a Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress for this

I've never seen Robert Patrick better and feel more real than in this one

A must see if you like independent dramedies