What Lies West

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1:45

What Lies West

2019

1h 19m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

10 Reviews

52%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

New college graduate NICOLETTE has a problem. Her ex/but is he though? stranded her without a promised summer job, and she needs money, pronto. The only job available is babysitting CHLOE, a sheltered teen with a very, very nervous single mom who refuses to let the 16 year-old stay at home by herself. Chloe and Nicolette have nothing in common. Nothing at all, that is, until Chloe starts dragging her on longer and longer hikes every day. Nicolette soon susses out that she is not just enjoying the excellent weather outdoors. Her recalcitrant, reluctant summer partner has a secret plan... one that might play into Nicolette's own need to stand out from the crowd if she wants to sneak her way into Hollywood. The two unlikely partners united by a need to change their lives set out on the biggest adventure either of them has ever taken: a four day hiking trip through the backroads of Sonoma County to the beach. But can Nicolette and Chloe overcome their wide personality gap to make it all the way out there? And more importantly, can they get all the way back before Chloe's mom finds out?

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Matt Zoller Seitz

RogerEbert.com

05/11/2021

3/4

A likable debut, seemingly made with a specific audience in mind, and it would be wonderful if it found that audience.

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Louisa Moore

Screen Zealots

05/26/2021

Seldom do films get the complexities of female relationships right, but this one nails it on every possible level.

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Andrea Beach

Common Sense Media

05/17/2021

2/5

This is an earnest friendship-adventure story with quirky characters that unfortunately falls short in a few areas so that it doesn't feel especially deep or intimate.

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Pamela Powell

Reel Honest Reviews

05/12/2021

3/4

"What Lies West" is a heartfelt exploration of friendships and their importance as two young women look ahead in life, leaning on one another to grow and learn.

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Josh Bell

Crooked Marquee

05/11/2021

B-

The charming leads have easygoing chemistry, and they make for amiable traveling companions for 80 minutes or so.

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Steven Prokopy

Third Coast Review

05/11/2021

2.5

More than I grew to like these characters, I really was rooting for the relationship between Chloe and Nicolette to stay strong.

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06/28/2021

This movie was everything I wanted and more. A heartwarming coming of age story about friendship and overcoming fears. I fell in love with the characters of Chloe and Nicolette- both fresh and original. The soundtrack is beautiful as well. Highly recommend!

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06/01/2021

This movie is so much fun and entertaining and yet so poignant. Life is so complex! This is such a delightful view into the spirit and soul of these two young ladies. I enjoyed every minute watching it!

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05/24/2021

Well written and relatable story set in beautiful and quirky Sonoma County, CA. The girls were perfectly cast. I felt it was both realistic about struggles we face in life and uplifting in watching them be conquered, but not in a predictable sappy happy ending sort of way.

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05/12/2021

This is a very sweet movie that all ages should watch. A beautifully made indy film that captures emotions we all have and feel. I love that so many women bwrre involved in the making of this film!

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05/12/2021

Absolutely fantastic. Funny and poignant. As a Sonoma County native, this made me a bit homesick, but it was a nice way to visit some of my favorite places. Watched it with my teenaged daughter and she really liked it.

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05/12/2021

A duel coming of age movie that authentically captures that point in your life where you are defining who you are.

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Jessica Ellis

Director

Nicolette Kaye Ellis

Nicolette

Chloe Moore

Chloe

Anna Peterson

Anne

Jack Vincenty

Alex

Beverley Simmons

Kelly

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What Lies West: Trailer 1

1:45

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Synopsis

New college graduate NICOLETTE has a problem. Her ex/but is he though? stranded her without a promised summer job, and she needs money, pronto. The only job available is babysitting CHLOE, a sheltered teen with a very, very nervous single mom who refuses to let the 16 year-old stay at home by herself. Chloe and Nicolette have nothing in common. Nothing at all, that is, until Chloe starts dragging her on longer and longer hikes every day. Nicolette soon susses out that she is not just enjoying the excellent weather outdoors. Her recalcitrant, reluctant summer partner has a secret plan... one that might play into Nicolette's own need to stand out from the crowd if she wants to sneak her way into Hollywood. The two unlikely partners united by a need to change their lives set out on the biggest adventure either of them has ever taken: a four day hiking trip through the backroads of Sonoma County to the beach. But can Nicolette and Chloe overcome their wide personality gap to make it all the way out there? And more importantly, can they get all the way back before Chloe's mom finds out?

Director: Jessica Ellis
Producer: Sean Carroll, Jennifer S. Milliman, Jennifer Milliman
Screenwriter: Jessica Ellis
Production Co: BayView Entertainment, Passion River Films
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 11, 2021
Runtime: 1h 19m