With the simplest of budgets, a complicated journey is told through just a few weeks span of Georgie's life. I was surprised to find out that this wonderful storytelling that made me smile, laugh and cry, was primarily improvised. The women in this film opened my eyes and effectively reminded me that my life's treasure can look very different from somebody else's treasure. The film also reminded me to withhold judgement, keep an open heart and mind, and to operate from a place of love. The characters all had flaws revealed and yet I walked away only remembering and being inspired by their best traits. Thank you for a beautiful film. The message reaches a wide audience, inspiring youth and adults alike, encouraging all sorts of people from all walks of life.
11 Reviews
Bo finds the right way
nawrockimonica8 February 2024
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.
such a touching story
shannonmulvanny17 October 2023
This movie is an incredible experience in film. The dry feeling of the Las Vegas life contrasts beautifully with a lush green park scene featuring Georgie and Harper. The improvised (!) conversations of dialogue come off natural and relatable as something you would actually hear teenagers say. Chelsea and Ava are highly skilled in making their characters flaws and accomplishments clear to the viewer. Georgie's character had the perfect balance of heart and sass to make you root for a better life, an opportunity for her to succeed and for her to find her way. Harper is someone you know is trying her best to do right by another person, even is her methods are a little sloppy. Bravo to the entire cast and crew for this heartfelt and touching film that both adults and kids will find relatable and touching!
A Well-Balanced and Poignant Story of Hard Truths
theactoraustin11 November 2023
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.
Very good movie with amazing story and acting
ron-6803024 February 2024
Viewed this film at the Alameda International Film Festival, and frankly was surprised with the skilled and professional presentation.
I so enjoyed the film, it is really fun while telling a hard story.
Shout out to Chelsea Bo and her team. This story, out of true life origins, tells the story of two half sisters and their journey to trying find family.
Ava Acres - who plays the younger sister - does a fantastic job with an extremely believable performance. An actor to watch for her future work.
Sufe Bradshaw gives a performance and dialog that I would love to see more of, but loved her small but important role.
Eliza Coupe gives a compelling performance as well.
Of course a movie takes a whole team, and it seems that Chelsea and Sean created a great team, which apparently they have been working on for a few years.
Chelsea, the writer, director, editor and lead actor playing the older sister deserves so much credit. I can not imagine all the work she did to create this film.
Chelsea's performance is authentic, compelling and heartfelt.
I am no critic, but hearing that the script was improv style seems to make so much sense seeing how the actors seem to react off each other so well.
Looking forward to seeing more of Chelsea, Ava and the others work.
I so enjoyed the film, it is really fun while telling a hard story.
Shout out to Chelsea Bo and her team. This story, out of true life origins, tells the story of two half sisters and their journey to trying find family.
Ava Acres - who plays the younger sister - does a fantastic job with an extremely believable performance. An actor to watch for her future work.
Sufe Bradshaw gives a performance and dialog that I would love to see more of, but loved her small but important role.
Eliza Coupe gives a compelling performance as well.
Of course a movie takes a whole team, and it seems that Chelsea and Sean created a great team, which apparently they have been working on for a few years.
Chelsea, the writer, director, editor and lead actor playing the older sister deserves so much credit. I can not imagine all the work she did to create this film.
Chelsea's performance is authentic, compelling and heartfelt.
I am no critic, but hearing that the script was improv style seems to make so much sense seeing how the actors seem to react off each other so well.
Looking forward to seeing more of Chelsea, Ava and the others work.
Powerful and brutally honest
fureysm4 November 2023
My wife and I had the chance to see this at the Lone Star Film Festival and we were both just floored. The story itself is incredible, but it's in the acting where the film just soars. Director Chelsea Bo set her lightning-in-a-bottle cast free and the result is a realistic, tender, and honest portrayal of the human condition set against a background that is both beautiful and ugly at the same time. This is one of those movies that sticks with you long after the credits have rolled. I remember thinking that I wanted to see more, and could have watched the onscreen chemistry all day.
This was the festival standout to me, and I'm so glad we had the opportunity to see it.
This was the festival standout to me, and I'm so glad we had the opportunity to see it.
Loved It
tbrpvzs18 October 2023
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!
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!
A Heart Full of Love
mtqsvqyb18 October 2023
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.
Warming and Unique
Stacydiva21 October 2023
Chelsea Bo takes you on a very real journey through the life of a very real family unit. In today's unique society, raising children is not easy. This movie gives the audience a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs that many people truly are experiencing in today's world. The audience will experience the highs and lows right along with Harper, Georgie and the rest of the cast. No Right Way is heartfelt and inspiring in a way that I have never experienced before. I will recommend this movie to anyone and everyone who enjoys an extremely well written and directed film that is from the heart.
Captures the complicated truth and complexity of families
elinalynne1 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
When Harper is notified by Child Protective Services that her teen half-sister, Georgie, has been taken into care, she steps away from her successful and methodically ordered life in Los Angeles to pick-up her sister in Las Vegas. As a temporary situation expands into a longer stay, Harper's attempts to parent expose her failure to understand her sister's experience. This is an intimate and honest story that could not have come out of the Hollywood machine. No Right Way captures a moment in time and the complicated entanglements within a family that come from a shared trauma and love.
Ava Acres plays George with amazing talent and captures the frenetic energy and emotion unique to teenagers and the insecurity of that brief time. I am confident we will see great things from her in the future.
Ava Acres plays George with amazing talent and captures the frenetic energy and emotion unique to teenagers and the insecurity of that brief time. I am confident we will see great things from her in the future.
A delightful, winning film not to be missed
lenweiler25 February 2024
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.
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