User reviews

Two Ways Home" is a low-key indie drama about a family history, going through personal failures, mental health and strong redemption. It is beautifully shot, as well as empathetically-acted and reasonably well-written. Furthermore it benefits from that essential ingredient that makes or breaks many a low-budget independent film - a sense of place. It's a rural Iowa story from start to finish but it works.

Greetings again from the darkness. It's a bit of a rough start. The armed robbery of a convenience store doesn't come across as menacing or threatening, but rather almost comical as the burly dude retreats, leaving the ski-capped (not masked) woman behind to face the cops. The scene does however set the stage and background for that woman's story. Kathy (Tanna Frederick) is sent to jail where she is diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. Transferred to a treatment center, Kathy is given medications for control, and released early.

Kathy seeks redemption and normalcy as she heads back to her family. The reception is lukewarm at best, and her now 12 year old daughter Cori (Riley Behr) outright rejects her. Cori has been raised by her father Junior (Joel West) and Kathy's parents, and is now the ultimate overachieving adolescent who wants nothing to do with her ex-con mother. In the midst of Kathy's homecoming, her beloved grandfather Walter (Tom Bower) has had a heart attack on his pig farm, and now the family is trying to have him certified as "not competent" so they can take over his land (a generational farm). Kathy is disgusted by this, and wants nothing more than to give her grandfather what he wants most ... a chance to live out his final days on the same land where his father died.

With no shortage of awkward conversations or situations, Kathy struggles to acclimate back into her family and small Iowa hometown. The best and most poignant scenes are with Kathy and her grandfather, and with Kathy and Cori. Kathy relates to her grandfather, as he's being labeled just as she has been. In his case, he carries the weight of old age, while she carries the stigma of mental illness. The conversations between Kathy and Cori are more intimate, as a mother and daughter try to reconnect.

Director Ron Vignone and writer Richard Schinnow do a nice job creating small town authenticity, and proving that family dysfunction is certainly not limited to big city life. Cinematographer Christopher C Pearson captures some nice shots of beautiful Iowa farm land, and mixes it with the often uncomfortable family moments. Veteran actor Tom Bower is a real standout here, and we ultimately wish he had more screen time. Ms. Frederick captures the essence of her character, and faces the challenges of those burdened with the mental illness stigma. We should appreciate the inclusion of Kathy encouraging her grandfather to write down his memories and experiences for future generations. It's a valuable step that too few folks take. Available on VOD beginning December 29, 2020

Started a little slow but by mid-way i was glued to the screen and really drawn in. A really well orchestrated film with not too much to complain about. 8 stars easily.

It's on a indie budget but the story is big and that's all that matters. Great acting from everyone involved including the children. I did get emotional in the end so yes this is a bit of a tear jerker but totally worth.

This movie speaks to everyone on some level. It's treatment of mental illness is delicate yet poignant at the same time. Beautiful plot that is masterfully and richly developed. Thoroughly enjoyed watching this film and would highly recommend it!

Expect one cut every third second. The edit ruins it for me. You can clearly see that there is a good script and some good ideas. But I'm sad to say that it's extremely hard to keep the feeling of the film when you constantly are interrupted by all the cuts.

What a film! Lots of emotions mixed in with drama and dialogue. This isn't a big budget film but still at a high quality because of the plot and acting. We need more films like this. Heartfelt flick, i'd watch it again.

There's something to be said about subtelty when it comes to character development. Not only are all the characters not likeable, they are all played to over the top extremes. The reason I don't like that sort of thing is it assumes the audience is too stupid to form their own opinions from a more subtle approach. The main character is nothing. Nothing to look at and she's certainly not a competent actress. She's probably the biggest anchor in the whole movie. Why revolve your story around such a dim witted fool? Confounding. The daughter is a complete snot, precocious and disrespectful. Plus she wears enough lipstick and makeup to be standing on a street cornor in North Vegas. The father is a corndog cliche and is generic and bland as they come. And whenever religion is tossed into the mix it's a delicate subject. Of course this film gets that wrong too. Typical indie soundtrack, completely disconnected from the onscreen action, such as it is. Get the idea? The cast all down the line is portrayed in similar fashion, and it's impossible to view them as real entities. Anyway, the reviews here are absurd. It views as an aftershcool special, and not even a half interesting one. The story is good, which is why the directing's failures is so unfortunatel. A Hallmark movie comprised of nothing but totally self absorbed nincompoops.

I unexpectedly found the trailer on YT and I then decided to rent it and I'm so glad I did. The subject matter is touchy and the actress that plays Kathy did an incredible enjoy portraying issues with mental illness. The editing is crisp, the score was fitting as is the editing. I'm giving this a 9.

Mom is outta prison and also is now diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The movie follows her attempt to get back into her daughter and ex's lives and claim a spot in her new life.

Such a deep and entertaining film. Lots of drama that felt real and the production was top notch. There were plenty of plot twists and some of them did surprise me. I'm usually able to guess what happens next but the end really had me. I highly recommend this, well done.

It is so well made, and has an important message for anyone who is coping with mental challenges which is anyone ... hat off to Ron and the entire cast!

For years I've dealt with my daughter's bi-polar condition. For years she had refused to take medication, even tho I've begged her to. She lost everything, lost custody of her 3 children, and even one to suicide, but that's still not the end of her rope. Even tho her daughters are safely out of her clutches I'm preparing for the day she tries to take them down with her. She is an evil human being that got her disorder from her dad but she won't take responsibility for her actions. Maybe she will see this movie someday and it will somehow get thru to her. All I can do is pray she opens her eyes and ears to the truth, that a good life is def possible.

The movie is extremely well acted especially from a lot of unknowns.

Wonderful look at mental health and how it effects all people around you. Kathy has bipolar and when off the medications she acts crazy. It shows how it destroyed her relationship with her ex and her daughter. You could see why she is messed up as her parents and aunt are complete idiots. Her grandfather himself suffers from PTSD from the war, which one is not clear but he goes into the shakes and all. Finally Kathy acts normal and at the end her grandfather passes but her daughter seems to now like her. I truly enjoyed this indie.