“Tow” is based on the inspiring true story of Amanda Ogle, whose perseverance and unwavering advocacy triumphed against all odds.
At the start of the movie, we see Amanda making great attempts to find a job as a vet tech. It’s a goal that seems attainable by her recently renewed license, but is hampered by the lack of a permanent address. As an unhoused woman living in Seattle, her struggle with routine tasks like printing a resume, keeping a cell phone charged, or arriving at an interview on time become monumental hurdles that she must overcome.
Amanda finally gets a break and is hired at a dog grooming salon. Her happiness is short-lived because after leaving the job interview, Amanda discovers that her car is stolen. She tracks down her car in a tow yard, but is told that she has to pay a $270+ fine in order for it to get released.
The film follows Amanda Ogle (Rose Byrne), a woman living in her aging Toyota Camry on the streets of Seattle. When her car — her only lifeline — is stolen and impounded, Amanda is thrust into a relentless legal battle against an indifferent system. What begins as a fight to reclaim her car evolves into a deeply human story of resilience, dignity, and the power of one woman’s voice in the face of systemic failure.
“Tow” is directed by Stephanie Laing and features a supporting cast that includes Dominic Sessa (“The Holdovers”), Demi Lovato (“Camp Rock”), Ariana DeBose (“West Side Story”), Octavia Spencer (“Hidden Figures”), Simon Rex (“Blink Twice”), and Elsie Fisher (“Eighth Grade”).
Amanda, along with her eager and idealistic lawyer (played by Sessa), battle one stall tactic after another. The movie illustrates the grim reality that one faces when fighting a company with deep pockets and a scumbag lawyer.
The film peeks into Amanda’s time in a women’s shelter, where she finds a sense of community among other women who come from challenging circumstances. However, the tension hinges on whether Amanda will receive justice from the legal system and get her car back.
“Tow” is an intriguing and eye-opening movie with strong performances from the cast. I highly recommend watching it.
“Tow” opens in theaters on March 20th.
“Tow” is rated R.
Disclosure: No monetary compensation was received for this post. I was provided a digital screening of the movie which helped facilitate this review. Images shown in this post are used with permission. As always, my opinions are 100% my own.
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