No Looking Back

Critics Consensus

Edward Burns' first foray into melodrama is too dour to arise passion, suffering from a lack of narrative direction and romantic chemistry.

36%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 22

65%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 1,579

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Movie Info

Writer-director-actor Edward Burns (The Brothers McMullen, She's the One) looks at small-town ex-lovers in this low-key, blue-collar drama with atmospheric, muted-color cinematography by Emmy-winner Frank Prinzi (Northern Exposure). To the tune of Sheryl Crow's "Home", Charlie (Burns) returns to his quiet seaboard hometown to win back his ex-girlfriend Claudia (Lauren Holly), whom he abandoned three years earlier. He quickly learns that she's now engaged to Michael (Jon Bon Jovi), his best buddy since elementary school. Claudia has a dull job as a waitress at a slow-paced diner, while Michael repairs autos at a local garage. Michael loves her, but Charlie's return forces her to re-examine her life. Burns commented, "I wanted to do a drama about a working-class community, about the kind of people I grew up with, and take a look at what their lives are like as they hit their 30s and start to put their adolescent dreams aside. Their old hopes and dreams get rekindled, so they try and go for it one more time. And in the end they discover that you can't relive your past." Songs relate literally to the onscreen action, with tunes by Lynryd Skynryd, Glen Campbell, Pete Yorn, Georges Gasguy & Saveur Mallia, Macy Gray, Patti Scialfa, Bruce Springsteen, Local H, Sponge, and the Allman Brothers. Filmed on location during the off-season at Rockaway Beach, Queens, not far from New York's JFK Airport. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
  • Rating:
    R (For language)
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Drama, Romance
  • Directed By:
    Edward Burns
  • Written By:
    Edward Burns
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    USA Home Entertainment

Cast

Lauren Holly
as Claudia
Edward Burns
as Charlie
Jon Bon Jovi
as Michael
Blythe Danner
as Claudia's Mother
Connie Britton
as Kelly
Jennifer Esposito
as Teresa
Nick Sandow
as Goldie
John Ventimiglia
as Tony
Welker White
as Missy
Susan May Pratt
as Annie
Kathleen Doyle
as Mrs. Ryan
Kaili Vernoff
as Alice
Stuart Rudin
as The Foot
Matty Delia
as Bugsy
Ellen McElduff
as Waitress
Shari Albert
as Shari
Marcia DeBonis
as Marcia
Leah Gray
as Leah
Kevin Heffernan
as Sco
Chris McGovern
as Chris
Mary Margaret O'Neill
as Maggie
Glenn D. Sanford
as Glenn
Mark Schulte
as Bno
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Critic Reviews for No Looking Back

All Critics (22) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (8) | Rotten (14)

View All Critic Reviews (22)

Audience Reviews for No Looking Back

  • Jul 03, 2013
    There isn't enough in the Ed Burns film canon. The jack of all trades brings his all to his acting roles. Unfortunately he writes his own stinker to muddle through and hiring Bon Jovi as a co-actor doesn't help particularly.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Sep 24, 2011
    typical ed burns slow turning story is well cast. enjoyable but not one for repeat viewings, love or hate this one
    Brendan N Super Reviewer
  • Jan 26, 2008
    What a good cast this movie has from Ed Burns and Lauren Holly. No Looking Back gives a realistic glimpse into an everday group of friends in a small sea side town in NJ.
    Mason W Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

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