Rating: 
Summary: Powerful performance from Lauren Holly
Review: "No Looking Back" is an uneven, but engaging movie. Lauren Holly is luminescent as Claudia, a small-town waitress who gave up her dreams of a better life in the big city a long time ago. Now she's trapped in a pointless relationship with Michael (Jon Bon Jovi-surprisingly good), and her life is complicated when her old boyfriend, Charlie (Edward Burns) returns to town. Lauren Holly's performance and Edward Burns' script really bring Claudia to life. There's a little bit of Claudia in everyone, and it's hard not to become involved. The few dull spots are well worth the feelings you'll get when you remember this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful performance from Lauren Holly
Review: "No Looking Back" is an uneven, but engaging movie. Lauren Holly is luminescent as Claudia, a small-town waitress who gave up her dreams of a better life in the big city a long time ago. Now she's trapped in a pointless relationship with Michael (Jon Bon Jovi-surprisingly good), and her life is complicated when her old boyfriend, Charlie (Edward Burns) returns to town. Lauren Holly's performance and Edward Burns' script really bring Claudia to life. There's a little bit of Claudia in everyone, and it's hard not to become involved. The few dull spots are well worth the feelings you'll get when you remember this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Loved this Movie
Review: All you aspiring screenwriters and directors,study the works of Ed Burns. He is a very strong writer. I have only seen this movie--but I intend to remedy that. What I like most about Burns is the fact that he was influenced by movies such as the Last Picture Show. I also see some literary influences like Raymond Carver. Keep creating Ed.
Rating: 
Summary: This movie lacks chemistry.
Review: Bon Jovi's performance was, surprinsingly and unfortunately, the only bright spot of this film. Lauren Holly's performance was weak and devoid of feeling--I don't think she connected to her character.
Rating:
Summary: Long Time, Nothing New
Review: Claudia (Lauren Holly) has lived all her life in a small, seaside, blue-collar town, hanging out with the same group of friends since grade school. Now she's waiting tables in a greasy spoon to help support her mother. After three years together, her live-in boyfriend, Michael (Jon Bon Jovi), is eager to tie the knot. Their life together is comfortable and Michael loves her. But Claudia has dreams of life beyond her home town and is afraid that if she marries now, she'll never realize them.Claudia's sister Kelly lives with her mother and struggles with good humor to care for her fatherless baby. Their mother hasn't left house since Claudia's dad walked out on the family six months ago. No one understands why Claudia sympathizes with her renegade father; like him, she has a wild, restless streak and longs for more. But she can't quite put her finger on what it is she wants. So when her old flame, Charlie (Ed Burns), returns from out west, she begins to wondercmaybe he's an answer. Their past romance was a passionate one: He's the one that got away. But his California dreams have gone bust and he's back pumping gas just like he did in high school. At first Claudia resists Charlie, but he's got the lure of that first love you never quite get over and before long she finds herself back in his arms and agreeing to run off with him. Without being told, Michael knows what's happened and forces the inevitable confrontation. But Claudia's confusion gives way to clarity: she just doesn't love Michael the way he wants and she's not sure Charlie is the answer either. Day later, Claudia says goodbye to both Michael and Charlie. She tosses her suitcase into the trunk of her '82 Firebird and takes off, over the bridge, in search of a life she can call her own.
Rating: 
Summary: The People in "No Looking Back" are of Little Interest
Review: Edward Burn's earlier work "The Brothers McMullen" is fantastic and earns a five star recommendation. It dealt with family members that were doing something with their lives. Those individuals exhibited both the virtues and moral failings commonly found in all human beings. The three main characters in "No Looking Back," though, are trapped in their banal and frustrating circumstances because of laziness. They have no one to blame but themselves for lacking ambition and settling for mediocrity. Lauren Holly plays the part of Claudia, a woman who is attracted to men who prefer drinking in bars and wasting time. Charlie (Burns) has returned to the blue collar hometown allegedly to patch things up with Claudia. He is an extremely selfish male who manipulates women for his own satisfaction. Charlie's lack of morality even went so far as to have urged Claudia into.... My skin crawled whenever Burns appeared on the screen. I concede that far more evil people have existed on this planet, but hopefully the Charlies of the world are the exception and not the norm. The character of Michael portrayed by Jon Bon Jovi is also a weak man too cowardly to accept the challenges of life. Am I being overly critical towards the lower classes? Not at all, for I grew up in similar circumstances. The difference is that those desiring to set goals and achieve them left these neighborhoods as soon possible upon reaching their late teens. It is one thing if somebody lacks the native abilities to existentially choose a more rewarding life. However, this trio of losers merely wants to earn enough money to purchase their next six pack of beer and cigarettes. The end of the movie has Claudia bravely setting out to improve her future prospects. One can only hope that she is successful. The saving grace of this film is the dialogue provided by the very talented Burns. I can only give "No Looking Back" three stars. Most of us, if we are candid, have better things to do.
Rating:
Summary: The People in "No Looking Back" are of Little Interest
Review: Edward Burn's earlier work "The Brothers McMullen" is fantastic and earns a five star recommendation. It dealt with family members that were doing something with their lives. Those individuals exhibited both the virtues and moral failings commonly found in all human beings. The three main characters in "No Looking Back," though, are trapped in their banal and frustrating circumstances because of laziness. They have no one to blame but themselves for lacking ambition and settling for mediocrity. Lauren Holly plays the part of Claudia, a woman who is attracted to men who prefer drinking in bars and wasting time. Charlie (Burns) has returned to the blue collar hometown allegedly to patch things up with Claudia. He is an extremely selfish male who manipulates women for his own satisfaction. Charlie's lack of morality even went so far as to have urged Claudia into.... My skin crawled whenever Burns appeared on the screen. I concede that far more evil people have existed on this planet, but hopefully the Charlies of the world are the exception and not the norm. The character of Michael portrayed by Jon Bon Jovi is also a weak man too cowardly to accept the challenges of life. Am I being overly critical towards the lower classes? Not at all, for I grew up in similar circumstances. The difference is that those desiring to set goals and achieve them left these neighborhoods as soon possible upon reaching their late teens. It is one thing if somebody lacks the native abilities to existentially choose a more rewarding life. However, this trio of losers merely wants to earn enough money to purchase their next six pack of beer and cigarettes. The end of the movie has Claudia bravely setting out to improve her future prospects. One can only hope that she is successful. The saving grace of this film is the dialogue provided by the very talented Burns. I can only give "No Looking Back" three stars. Most of us, if we are candid, have better things to do.
Rating:
Summary: The People in "No Looking Back" are of Little Interest
Review: Edward Burn's earlier work "The Brothers McMullen" is fantastic and earns a five star recommendation. It dealt with family members that were doing something with their lives. Those individuals exhibited both the virtues and moral failings commonly found in all human beings. The three main characters in "No Looking Back," though, are trapped in their banal and frustrating circumstances because of laziness. They have no one to blame but themselves for lacking ambition and settling for mediocrity. Lauren Holly plays the part of Claudia, a woman who is attracted to men who prefer drinking in bars and wasting time. Charlie (Burns) has returned to the blue collar hometown allegedly to patch things up with Claudia. He is an extremely selfish male who manipulates women for his own satisfaction. Charlie's lack of morality even went so far as to have urged Claudia into.... My skin crawled whenever Burns appeared on the screen. I concede that far more evil people have existed on this planet, but hopefully the Charlies of the world are the exception and not the norm. The character of Michael portrayed by Jon Bon Jovi is also a weak man too cowardly to accept the challenges of life. Am I being overly critical towards the lower classes? Not at all, for I grew up in similar circumstances. The difference is that those desiring to set goals and achieve them left these neighborhoods as soon possible upon reaching their late teens. It is one thing if somebody lacks the native abilities to existentially choose a more rewarding life. However, this trio of losers merely wants to earn enough money to purchase their next six pack of beer and cigarettes. The end of the movie has Claudia bravely setting out to improve her future prospects. One can only hope that she is successful. The saving grace of this film is the dialogue provided by the very talented Burns. I can only give "No Looking Back" three stars. Most of us, if we are candid, have better things to do.
Rating:
Summary: BURNS IS ON FIRE!!!
Review: Edward Burns is a great writer and director and all three films in this set are great. My favorite of the three is No Looking Back. It's a great story about a woman freeing herself from a life going nowhere and becoming an independent person. It's a great story and all three lead actors in the movie are perfect in their roles. I was skeptical about Jon Bon Jovi, but, he proved me wrong once again. The other two movies are absolutely fabulous also!!! Ed Burns is three for three!!! Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Ed Burns At His Best!!!
Review: Even if i wasn't from rockaway beach(where 90% of this movie was filmed)i'd love it!
it reminds me of a more adult version of ted demme's 'beautiful girls'.(rockaway isn't as dismal as it appears in the film,
but like anytown USA we all have our dive bars,old eateries etc...)
i love the soundtrack.
sometimes music speaks louder than dialog.
perfect blend.
we've all in one way or another lived this story.
great cast and acting all around.
a must see for all who live or came from a small town.
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