Byrne shines in maddening story of bureaucracy gone wrong
Rose Byrne may have lost the Best Actress Oscar race last Sunday, but I’m guessing she’ll have another chance a year from now. She delivers a similarly fierce and exceptional performance in Tow, and the movie itself is already shortlisted for my 2026 Top Ten.
Based on an infuriating true story, Tow tells the story of Amanda Ogle (Byrne), a Seattle-based woman whose 1991 Camry is recovered and held at a tow yard after being stolen. For most people, that irritation would be a minor annoyance and expense, but for Amanda, it’s devastating. Circumstances have led Amanda to live in her car, and she doesn’t have the money to pay the exorbitant fees to reclaim what is not just her transportation, but also her shelter. The stubborn Amanda isn’t one to resignedly accept defeat, however. To the surprise of many, she files a lawsuit against the tow company to demand the return of her vehicle and the forgiveness of the fees, which continue to accumulate every day the yard holds the car.
What follows is an inspiring story of grit and determination, as Amanda refuses to be ignored just because she happens to be unhoused. Director Stephanie Laing has crafted an eye-opening film about the way society treats those on the margins, and how difficult navigating bureaucratic systems are for those with few resources. As played by Byrne, Amanda is flawed and not always likable. She’s prone to anger and self-deception, but she’s also smart and perceptive, brave and tenacious, and loving and kind, especially toward her out-of-state daughter, Avery (Elsie Fisher, Eighth Grade). Amanda is desperate to go see Avery, but doesn’t want to worry her. So instead of telling Avery the truth about why she can’t get there, Amanda tells a series of lies that you know will end up backfiring.
As Amanda doggedly works to recover her car despite huge set backs, she’s assisted by a handful of empathetic folks who help her not only with her legal battle, but also with the larger personal issues that have contributed to her current situation. These supporters include Kevin (Dominic Sessa, from last year’s The Holdovers), a young non-profit agency lawyer who takes on Amanda’s case; Barbara (Octavia Spencer), the manager of a women’s shelter where Amanda finds both housing and unexpected community; and Cliff (Simon Rex), a sympathetic tow yard clerk who develops a friendship with Amanda despite being employed by her corporate nemesis. Throw in Oscar winner Ariana DeBose as a fellow troubled shelter resident and Corbin Bernsen as the evil towing company attorney, and you’ve got a supporting cast that matches Byrne’s talent beat for beat.
Working from a script by Brant Boivin and Jonathan Keasey, two relatively new screenwriters, Laing and her cast have created complex characters who you’ll root for to overcome huge odds. Everyone loves a feel-good underdog story, and Tow, with its message of respect and understanding, is an especially affecting and well-told one. Early-year releases sometimes get forgotten come awards season, but this picture deserves to be remembered.
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Tow is currently playing, including at the AMC Metreon in San Francisco, the AMC Bay Street in Emeryville, the Rialto Elmwood in Berkeley, and the Cinemark Century theater in Pleasant Hill.
