Tow Review: An Ever-Wonderful Rose Byrne Helps Elevate A Heartwarming-Yet-Familiar Drama

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I’ve been a big Rose Byrne fan for ages, and it’s been amazing to see her really flex her dramatic muscles again after doing so much comedy. Her Oscar nomination a couple of years ago for If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You was so deserved! That’s why I was really looking forward to her new movie, but honestly, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations – or to the amazing performance she gives in it. It’s not a bad movie, not at all. It just feels a little…safe. The true story it’s based on isn’t really given a fresh take, and some of the characters feel a bit flat. Still, it has a lot of heart, and the cast does a solid job, so it’s definitely watchable. It just didn’t quite reach its full potential, you know?

Tow Has A Lot To Say, But Speaks With A Tepid Voice

Based on a real-life story, actress Maryanne Byrne stars in Tow as Amanda Ogle, a woman in her 50s living in Seattle. Amanda has been trying to rebuild her life and reconnect with her daughter, Avery, while living out of her old Toyota Camry. When she finally gets a job cleaning pets, her car is stolen and taken by authorities, leaving her feeling lost and without a place to live.

While dodging rain showers, Tow watches as Amanda fiercely fights back after her car was impounded. She’s building a legal case against the city and the towing company, and people are finally starting to take her seriously. Her success could inspire others to challenge the unfair system. However, she still faces a huge obstacle: the towing company is demanding $21,634 to get her car back, even though they sold it at auction for less than $200.

Directed by Stephanie Laing, who previously worked with the lead actress on Physical, Tow uses familiar tropes from legal underdog stories, which works both for and against the film. It’s easy to cheer for Amanda, a woman facing tough odds – she has no home, no money, and no legal training – as she takes on a powerful company, whether it’s a huge corporation or a local towing service. Amanda is presented as incredibly determined, making her story generally captivating. Even if you don’t understand all the legal details, she’s clearly smart and doesn’t give up easily.

The film starts to feel predictable around the halfway mark. Amanda faces typical challenges – a relapse in her recovery and a worsening relationship with her daughter after being caught in lies. Unfortunately, the supporting characters aren’t very well developed, making it hard to feel invested in them. Corbin Bernsen’s character feels like a stereotypical lawyer, and Elsie Fisher’s Avery comes across as a fairly ordinary, angsty teenager.

The acting isn’t bad overall. Jessica Fisher does a good job with the more unusual parts of her character, and Dominic Sessa, from The Holdovers, effectively portrays Kevin, the lawyer, as someone with a lot of drive. Octavia Spencer is convincing as Barb, the shelter manager who’s both firm and kind, and Ariana DeBose brings energy to her role as Nova, a more unpredictable resident.

Image via Roaside Attractions

However, no performance quite compares to Tara Lynne Byrne’s captivating portrayal of Amanda in Tow. She skillfully avoids the pitfalls of overacting or appearing emotionally distant, striking a perfect balance that makes Amanda and her struggles feel incredibly real. It’s a performance filled with empathy, demonstrating a deep understanding of the person who inspired the role and others facing similar challenges.

It’s disappointing that the film Tow relies heavily on its director’s skill and the emotional power of the real-life story it’s based on. While it tries to portray homelessness, it sometimes feels a bit superficial, and its predictable ‘underdog’ storyline weakens its potential to offer insightful criticism of the systems that fail people like Amanda. However, if you’re simply looking for an uplifting and generally enjoyable story about overcoming hardship, this film delivers.

Tow hits theaters on March 20.

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2026-03-18 19:08