by Henry Pham
Rose Byrne has a prestigious body of acting work, including Dallas Doll, Star Wars Episode II – Attack of the Clones, and the Insidious franchise. Recently, she appeared in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You as a psychotherapist caring for her own daughter, for which she received an Oscar nomination for her leading role. Now, she has another gig that will keep her active, and that is Tow. It is a new drama movie that focuses on a homeless Seattle woman named Amanda Ogle, who fights her way out of the tow company to reclaim her life and the car, which was stolen and towed. As she doesn’t have enough money to get her car back, and after receiving a tow bill for $21,634, she ultimately decides to sue the tow company, no matter what the cost.
Byrne, who also produced the film, delivers a compelling performance as a homeless woman determined to reclaim what is rightfully hers. She demonstrates resilience and resourcefulness as she goes job hunting in the city to earn money without a college degree. Her journey includes seeking legal assistance, showing patience with her case, finding shelter, and attempting to reconnect with her estranged daughter. The supporting cast, including Dominic Sessa (The Holdovers), Demi Lovato (Camp Rock), Ariana DeBose (Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story), Octavia Spencer (The Help), Simon Rex (Red Rocket), and Elsie Fisher (Eighth Grade), is also outstanding and well-cast.
Stephanie Laing directs her third feature film, following Netflix’s Irreplaceable You and Family Squares. Although marketed as an original, the film is based on a true story and explores themes of life, purpose, money, greed, homelessness, and corruption. The screenplay by Jonathan Keasey and Brant Boivin is both humorous and clever, while Vanja Černjul’s cinematography is sharp and focused, particularly on Rose Byrne and her key interactions. The chemistry between Byrne and Demi Lovato stands out, as do the scenes with Dominic Sessa. While the supporting cast is strong, additional screen time would have allowed for deeper character development.
With the film running at 106 minutes, Rose Byrne makes her powerful move in Tow. I really loved the cast performances, mostly Rose Byrne’s. Watching this movie is, honestly, the best decision I could have made after hearing that the film received a score of 100% from Rotten Tomatoes. As a movie critic and movie lover, it’s memorable enough to hold your attention from start to finish, and it is a must-watch. So if you go out to the movies and find this movie poster on the theater’s walls, you may find yourself turning that frown upside down. It is also a great movie for those experiencing homelessness or for those who love serving the homeless. I’m still very glad I watched it the way I did. Sometimes, these movies are more than they seem. You will enjoy this.
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