No Right Way

Chelsea Bo. Remember that name. This writer/director/actor has delivered a near-perfect movie experience. For me, the standout element was the amazing performances Chelsea drew out of her young actors. Granted, Ava Acres is an extraordinary actor, but this is a cast with more kids than adults and every performance is spot-on. When asked how, Chelsea said that she worked hard to create a "safe environment" for the young people on set, then "empowered them". She acknowledges that adults often talk down to kids and her aim on set was to give all her actors some freedom (with unscripted dialogue) and to "trust" them. Turns out she was exactly right, because the young people are the story here and they hold it, carry it, and deliver it with deep authenticity. Hopefully, her next project also includes young actors, because she has a Spielberg-thing going with getting the best out of children and youth on screen. The choice of shots, the setting, the soundtrack - everything underlines the strong writing. If you get a chance to see this film - don't miss it.

Just saw No Right Way a couple nights ago at the Alameda Int'l Film Festival and really loved it. Everyone that I spoke to after the screening felt the same way. This story of a family in crisis is a touchingly realistic, finely observed film that features terrific performances from the entire ensemble, and especially from Ava Acres as Georgie, a teen removed from her home by CPS, Eliza Coupe as her troubled mom Tiffany, and writer-director Chelsea Bo starring as Georgie's much older adult half-sister, who takes her in. It's a touchingly dramatic and at times wryly funny movie that's engaging, credible, and charming. It's amazing that it has not yet been picked up by a major distributor, as it certainly ought to be. If you get a chance to see this one, don't miss it.

My wife and I attend an annual film festival every year with an emphasis on outdoor / mountain culture for the last 20+ years. Despite our aging bodies, we love the creativity, adventure, adrenaline, etc. Which never ceases to excite our souls.

That being said, we were invited to take part in an early viewing of "No Way Out" this past week. While also falling into the "indie" category, it was a distant leap to what we are used to. We were blown away by how the movie captured us within the roles of Georgie and Harper. The storyline delivers roadblocks for each character which left us intrigued by how they navigated the situations they were faced with. The combination of a story line with a "real life" parallel, creative improvisation, and a dose of "downs" and steady "feel-good ups", made this a really enjoyable experience to take part in AND take with afterwards. Great work by all involved!

This film shows all of the blood, sweat, tears, and dancing that went into making it. It beautifully captures the complexity of life with the family dysfunction everyone experiences at some point. What is particularly impressive are the strong female characters that drive the story and have dominant voices, yet the film reaches a wider audience not just of women and girls, but of men and boys alike. I found myself, a man in his thirties, watching these sisters and seeing myself- my own relationship pains and struggles with some of the people I love most. The reason is that this film displays complex truth. From purely a production quality standpoint, the casting is superb. I genuinely believe the relationships I am watching unfold. I particularly love the soundtrack and felt the music helped drive the emotion with balance of supporting what is onscreen without overshadowing or making you feel directed to feel a certain way. The cinematography is stunning throughout, giving an authentic feel of always being in the room with the characters while also maintaining a beauty in the art of composition, lighting, and angles- simple yet impactful. I can honestly say I watched the entire film without once thinking about the time or wondering when it would end. This is a testament to the pacing and editing used to seamlessly keep the train moving in a way you hardly even notice. All around, "No Right Way" is a film that captures the truth of love and pain in gorgeous indie film style that feels important and mainstream. When you have the opportunity, do yourself a favor and watch it.

In a world where most people are only concerned with themselves, it's refreshing to see a movie that recognizes the importance of family, the value of putting someone else first, the patience of love. This movie is for everyone who ever felt they needed to step up and step in. One person can make a difference. This movie is also for teachers. It brings up the idea that life gets in the way of schoolwork. Connecting with students, understanding the challenges they face outside of school is far more important than anything that can be taught in school. This movie tells the story of one girl. One girl who represents so many young people who are safer in school than beyond the classroom doors.