Movie Review: The Road Within – Different is the New Normal.

Production Company: WellGoUSA and Amplify

Written/Directed: Gren Wells

Starring: Robert Sheehan, Dev Patel, Zoë Kravitz, Kyra Sedgwick, and Robert Patrick.

Released on VOD March 17 and in theaters on April 17, 2015.

RUN TIME: 100 Mins

MPAA RATING: Rated R

Rating: ★★★★★

The Road Within surprised me in many ways. It’s an Indie film so it won’t be hitting thousands of theaters, but if you are lucky enough to have a chance to see the film in a theater or rent it on VOD, please do.

Have you ever felt different or feel like you don’t belong? If so, this film shows you that you matter – maybe not to everyone, but you do matter to someone. It only takes one person to show you that are loved to make a big difference. I learned that the hard way in my own life and can relate to what the characters of The Road Within go through. Vincent (Sheehan) has Tourette’s Syndrome. He’s lost the only person in the world who loved him just as he is. As much as he wants to honor his dearly departed mother, he is unable to control his Tourette’s ticks and guttural noises at her funeral. Through frustrated tears, Vincent excuses himself while his politician father, Robert Rhodes (Robert Patrick), and step-mother Monica (Ali Hillis) continue with the service. The look on Robert’s face says it all. It’s clear the relationship between Vincent and his father is strained and becomes even more stressed when Robert takes Vincent to a center for treatment of his Tourette’s Syndrome.

Vincent and Alex both have a difficult time adjusting to one another as roommates.

At the center, Vincent is reluctantly paired with a roommate, Alex (Dev Patel), whose Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) rules every ounce of hi being. Alex’s excessive cleaning, defined boundaries, and mysophobia, aka germ phobia, has Vincent’s Tourette’s going off the rails, making him say things that might be misconstrued as hateful and stereotypical. Patel’s performance is convincing and quite brilliant. It’s not over the top but it certainly raises eyebrows with how truly frenzied Alex feels now that he must share his living quarters with someone he finds so repugnant. Vincent also meets another patient, Marie (Zoe Kravitz), an anorexic who has a brush with death due to her unwillingness to eat. The three of them make a very unlikely trio, especially for a long road trip when Marie decides she’s had enough of the center. Vincent tags along so he can keep his promise to his mother to take her to the ocean one last time, while Alex’s participation isn’t voluntary, at first. Over the course of the crazy ride, Alex begins to come out of his bleached shell, which, in turn, causes Vincent and Marie to open up as well. The revelations aren’t startling or mind blowing but for those who have been so emotionally closed-off to others, it’s a huge step in their journey towards building their fragile self-esteem.

The symbolism of climbing up the mountain means something different to each of our trio.

The stories that make up The Road Within aren’t just about the illnesses plaguing our trio. The label of being normal is a stigma our society can’t seem to let go of. What is normal, anyway? I don’t think I’m normal and I’m ok with that. In fact, I don’t want to be normal if it means being the same as everyone else. How boring. The journey Vincent, Alex, and Marie embark on is both a personal and collective one. They learn about themselves through the eyes of others and also discover the ability to control and change their sometimes destructive behavior. With the help of Dr. Rose (Kyra Sedgwick), Robert learns to come to grips with his feelings about Vincent and his illness.

The cast of The Road Within gives honest and realistic portrayals of their respective characters. The film itself is honest, and Wells does an amazing job capturing the truth behind the characters’ fears. The Road Within is darkly comedic at times while also being laugh out loud funny. Best of all, the film also has heart without being too sappy. See it for yourself; you’ll be glad you did.

Check out my interview with director/writer Gren Wells, Robert Sheehan, and Robert Patrick.

Follow The Road Within on Twitter @TheRoadWithin and these cast and crew members @robmsheehan, @devpatel, and @zoekravitz; produced by @bradleygallo, @michaelahelfant, @RoberiMedia, and @coupdetafilms; directed by @grendola, distributed by @WellGoUSA and @AmplifyHQ.

Like The Road Within on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theroadwithin.

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.