The Road Within
Tags: romantic

Plot synopsis:
After his mother's death, Vincent (Robert Sheehan), a teenager with Tourette Syndrome, is enrolled in a behavioural facility by his father. While there he rooms with Alex (Dev Patel), a Brit with obsessive compulsive disorder, and meets Marie (Zoë Kravitz) who is in recovery for an eating disorder.
After a child films Vincent with his cellphone and Vincent attacks him, he and Marie are called into Dr. Rose's office where she chastises them and Marie steals her car keys. When Alex discovers Marie and Vincent running away in the middle of the night, he attempts to warn Dr. Rose and is kidnapped by them. The three of them head towards the ocean where Vincent hopes to scatter his mother's ashes. However Vincent does not remember the exact location of the beachside trip he and his mother made years ago. The trio finally settle on Santa Cruz as their destination.
Dr. Rose informs Vincent's father, Robert, that his son has gone missing and rather than allow the police to apprehend them, she and Robert attempt to track them down. Along the way Marie develops a crush on Vincent.
When they finally reach the ocean Marie collapses before they can reach the water. Marie is hospitalized and while there, the three are reunited with Dr. Rose and Robert. Marie, who is being force fed and has been restrained asks Vincent to run away with her but Vincent refuses. Instead he has a conversation with his father, who apologizes for treating him poorly and decides to stay in Santa Cruz so he can be near Marie. Rather than leave with Dr. Rose, Alex decides to stay with him.

Review: So I just finished watching this film and I would first like to say, if you're looking for an exciting and riveting plot; you've come to the wrong place.
However, if you prefer a story with incredibly compelling characters played by incredibly talented actors, than you definitely need to watch this movie.
Robert Sheehan, who plays Vincent, does a remarkable job portraying someone with Tourette's without going overboard.
Similarly, Dev Patel who plays Alex does another remarkable job of playing someone with OCD (at least in my opinion).
I believe this movie has a good combination of feel good moments and moments where you truly empathize with the characters.
Though the concept of a road trip plot is slightly overdone, the landscapes are beautiful and the three young actors have a way of keeping you interested and entertained the entire time.
There were moments that were difficult to watch and made me a bit emotional while there were also scenes where I laughed out loud.
It really gives you a perspective on what it is like with a mental illness, especially as a teenager and the complications that they cause.
Overall, not a perfect flick but Kravitz, Patel, and Sheehan are definitely worth checking this film out..
I thought this movie was absolutely remarkable.
I was scrolling through Netflix for a fun movie with a little bit of drama and I came across this one.
Little did I know, I would fall in love with the movie.
This movie made me fall in love with the characters, their hearts, and emotions.
It also really truly opened my eyes about mental disorders in a way that I couldn't have imagined.
It showed me what these people truly go through and how a little bit of support can change how they live in the world.
It's truly a satisfying movie.
Made me want to have a story like all 3 of them, and make friends they way they did.Watch this movie if you want something different, but also warm and friendly.
If you love falling in love with characters as they head on their journey, this movie is for you!
Through the seriousness of the disorders this movie takes on (which, by the way, were beautifully portrayed by Kravitz, Patel and Sheehan) I was able to feel with them, laugh with them, and cry with them.
The Tourette's Syndrome, OCD, and Anorexia that they took hold of was captivating.
I could tell that a whole lot of thought was put into researching Tourette's by Gren Wells and Robert Sheehan because they gave us just enough of Tourette's.
I applaud him and the whole cast for the care they took with their characters and their corresponding illnesses.
I would call this film 'careful' in the greatest way.
Story of three young adults with Tourette's, OCD,and Anorexia who run away from a treatment center and are pursued by one of the fathers and the doctor from the center..
Absolutely loved this movie!
Somehow director, Gren Wells, manages to draw you into their world so that you laugh with the characters rather than at them, at the same time as you feel their pain.
Robert Sheehan, Dev Patel, and Zoe Kravitz are each outstanding and portray heartbreakingly real characters.
Robert Patrick is wonderful as the frustrated father with no understanding of how to cope with his son and his challenges.
A very good drama-comedy which mixes the 2 elements of drama and comedy perfectly, which in many cases is not the casePerfectly 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 thisI've never seen Robert Patrick better and feel more real than in this oneA must see if you like independent dramedies.
Solid memorable feel-gooder, should launch Zoë Kravitz into hyperspace.
Two things you should know about this film.1.
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.
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..
A very touching and well made movie, especially for outsiders and misfits!.
'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.
Vincent also meets Marie (Kravitz), at the facility, who he's immediately attracted to.
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).
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 characters are more easily portrayed for the actors due to the illnesses they each carry.
As one who has lived with Tourette's myself and as a parent, I was pleased at how accurately this was portrayed.
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 movie is a cheering (and serious) tale about complicated people sharing a complicated trip to the ocean.
At the end I wondered who wrote and directed it and found out it was another astonishing female writer/director of these latter Movie years (Gren Wells).Then I asked myself (probably influenced by the Psychoanalytical atmosphere of the movie) why I rated it 8 and not 10.
A fun, different and unexpected movie that the whole family can't enjoy..
This movie definitely wasn't what I expected when I started watching it, I didn't read the description and just thought it'd be pure comedy with the pictures it had, as has been said though, it was different, pleasantly surprising.
The movie does an amazing job defining the individual characters histories, problems and loneliness in a world dominated with judgement.
I'd love to watch this movie again in the near future...
A Powerful Must Watch Story.
Illnesses like Tourettes and OCD are often portrayed in movies as a comic effect, or something very small-scale like occasional cursing or refusing to touch a dirty door handle, when in reality these illnesses are often crippling for those who suffer from them.
I have never seen a movie that portrayed these illnesses, particularly Tourettes, in such a realistic light.
Robert Sheehan and Dev Patel are absolute powerhouses in this film, portraying their respective illnesses with such realism that I absolutely believed them to be real.
The story is fairly simple, but the acting is what really brings this film to life.
It is at times extremely painful to watch, particularly the beginning as we are introduced to the characters, and as an audience member it is difficult to watch these young men struggle with very serious issues and aspects of their illnesses.
I think this movie is an absolute triumph, and a must watch in order to gain a new perspective into those who are suffering from illnesses that are often taken much too lightly..
Best movie for people like me.
People with tourette's will definately love this movie ..
Vincent(Robert Sheehan) is a young man with Tourettes Syndrome.
His father places him at a private facility where he is roomed with Alex(Dev Patel), who suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder and is a germ freak who can never be touched.
They are soon joined by Marie(Zoe Kravitz) who has Anorexia.
Maria steals their doctor's car keys and thus begins a very different road trip.
The final scenes are a bit sentimental, but I still would recommend The Road Within for its' positive outlook on life..
Dysfunctional...In A Good Way. 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.
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.
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..
Vincent Rhodes (Robert Sheehan) suffers from Tourette Syndrome.
He is roomed with obsessive clean freak Alex (Dev Patel).
He falls for anorexic Marie (Zoë Kravitz).
He and Marie run away stealing Dr. Rose (Kyra Sedgwick)'s car.
Robert is unable to call the cops because of his political ambitions.These are three interesting young performers in a fun road trip.
The three characters have their potholes in the road.
They're not completely fixed in the end but they are better which is expected for this type of movie.
Patrick and Sedgwick form the other half of the movie.
I'm tired of movies and shows portraying OCDers as germaphobes.
As far as the female character goes, not all women with eating disorder are the "rebel type"...I believe the films creators had good intentions though.
Tropes I've seen seeing since I was a little feller and watched my second movie.
It was also quite predictable.Honestly though, I don't know if someone with mental illness would write a movie like this and I wonder if the screenwriter even has mental illness himself, or just thought it'd be a "touching" story, with the Oscar statue lingering in the back of his mind.Still, it's hard to resist the journey the characters go through and the way they bond over their illnesses.
Social Stigma is still very strong and it's hard to find someone suffering from a debilitating disease that is going to open up to you and be your friend.I also appreciated the use of music in this film.
At first, I thought I left my Classical playlist running, but it was just Dev Patel playing Bach while he madly cleaned his room from germs.
Yet this is the only artistic merit I would grant this movie.Stil, I gave it a 7 because overall I think it depicted metal illness sufferers as real, hell even normal, people.
Lovely feel good movie.
It all boils down to one thing and that is finding friendships in the most strangest of places and circumstances.This also touches upon family relationships which really shines in this film and makes you realise what's really important in life It was one of those films where you want to see more however it left you wondering.
The acting was brilliant and touching.WELL WORTH THE WATCH :).
This is a truly beautiful and tender film.
It Portrays three individuals with quite severe mental illnesses, and shows all of us a path to recovery via compassion and a sense of humor.
The script is fantastic, and the acting/directing is sublime.Zoe Kravitz and Dev Patel are artists to be admired, but they outdo themselves in this film..
Wonderful movie!.
The pacing of this movie was perfect for engagement as well as reflection.Many, many precious moments.Going on a road trip together was the perfect vehicle to afford the 3 main characters to focus on themselves and begin to heal themselves and each other.
Just ideal envelope for their mutual growth...almost like an incubator.Mindful development of Dad's journey---no cheap cliché of Dad being all wrong about everything.I really grew to cherish the friendship created out of pain, honesty and resilience.Just loved the film.
I found this small movie on Netflix streaming, it apparently was released at several film festivals but never was in theaters.Robert Sheehan is Vincent and we are introduced to him at his mother's funeral.
His father, Robert Patrick as Robert, a politician running for office, appears to be at the end of his rope with Vincent and has arranged for him to placed in an institution for misfits.There he gets paired with Dev Patel as Alex, an OCD clean freak who strongly objects to having a roommate.
And he is shown around by Zoë Kravitz as Marie who is rail thin and fighting Anorexia.
The institution is run by Kyra Sedgwick as Dr. Mia Rose.Each of the three misfits need to resolve old issues and they get a chance as they are thrown into an unlikely road trip from the institution in Nevada to the Pacific Coast, where Vincent wants to carry his mother's ashes.
They eventually work their way to Santa Cruz and in the process are able to learn how to gain some control over their respective issues.It is ironic for me, just 3 weeks ago I made my first visit to Santa Cruz for a mini-vacation and now I see it again in this movie!Not a great movie by any measure but very interesting if you like to see misfits trying to cope with ordinary life..
This is another example of where the score shown on IMDb (in this case 7.1) is no indication at all of the merit of a movie.
This terrible movie made OCD and Tourette's syndrome look almost like fun; I have the impression that we were supposed to laugh every time Vincent went into one of his unconvincing profane rants or when Alex's OCD manifested in some particularly silly way.
It probably wasn't the film-makers' intention to belittle the suffering of individuals affected by these conditions.
But, all the same, this movie had at least the appearance of a comedy despite the fact that I didn't laugh even once.
It's not one I'll ever watch again, so very poor was the movie.
I enjoyed the movie right up until the end.
Maybe, it depends on the situation.***Spoiler Alert*** Why would the boy just hand over the ashes of his mother that he loved so dearly just because his father says "I know what to do with them" or something of that affect and the boy just walks off.
Wouldn't the father who is just now reconnecting with his son say "I know where she would like her ashes, lets go there together"?
A beautiful, sympathetic look into the dark world of mental illness.
I was absolutely blown away by this movie.
Definitely a must see, especially for those suffering from any form of mental illness within their lives.I had never seen any of these actors before but I thought they did an amazing job.
I can definitely see how some people could be put off by this movie but you need to have an open mind and an understanding heart to truly appreciate it.I love movies with a parent vs.
child struggle and I love it even more when both the parent and child learn a lesson in the end and are able to settle their differences and see eye to eye.
You are able to feel for all of the characters and the writing is truly poetic.My favorite part in the movie was how music positively effected the moods of Alex and Vincent.
OCD manifests in many different ways and I wish they had chosen to illustrate that more in Alex.
But I still think his transformation was brilliantly done.There are definitely some disturbing elements of the movie but I feel that the beauty and growth that the characters experience far outweigh any of their tragedies.