Review of Road to Nowhere (2010) by Joel H — 23 Nov 2011

Monte Hellman proves with Road to Nowhere that he is the Shaolin master.

Of directing. His Kung Fu is indeed strong and apparently getting.

Stronger every day. When Road to Nowhere was awarded the Special Golden.

Lion at the Venice Film Festival, jury president Quentin Tarantino.

Introduced Hellman as "both a great cinematic artist and a minimalist.

Poet." This verbal sketch captures his likeness brilliantly in my.

Opinion, for Hellman is truly the master of "the art of fighting.

Without fighting." This refers to his self-proclaimed aesthetic that.

"directing should be invisible - don't direct - don't act" and "the.

Director's job, after casting which is like 99% of the job, is to.

Ferociously eliminate anything that doesn't advance the story or that.

Takes the audience out of the story". This is the Tao of Monte Hellman.

And why he remains Hollywood's Invisible Man in spite of his great.

Talent. True to form, Road to Nowhere is not a film that draws.

Attention to itself. It is not showy or pretentious. The acting is so.

Natural, realistic, and effortless that were it not for the spectacular.

HD cinematography one might think he was watching a documentary. All.

Considered, though unfortunate, it is understandable that audiences.

Might choose to overlook this amazing film. But I sincerely hope they.

Do not. Because the viewing of it just might change the way they look.

At cinema forever.

- Captain Plasma.