This Rose Byrne's Overlooked Drama Is the Perfect Follow-up to 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You'

In October 2017, Amanda Ogle reported her 1991 Toyota Camry, which served as her home, to the Seattle Police Department. The car was found at Dick's Towing, which issued a $427 bill. While Amanda fought to overturn the bill in court, her car was sold for $157.

The lot's management profited from people like Amanda – homeless people without money or status. Refusing to accept this, Amanda spent over a year fighting the system and returned the car without paying a cent.

Although Ogle's story received little media coverage, it caught the attention of Seattle Times columnist Danny Westneat – his story inspired director Stephanie Laing.

What Is 'Tow' About?

Amanda dreams of making it to Utah by Christmas to see her child. For months, she has been sleeping in her old Camry under the cold Seattle sky and unsuccessfully interviewing at veterinary clinics.

She finally finds a job, but on that same day, her car goes missing. The police impound the car, charging Amanda an exorbitant fee. Unwilling to give in, she files a lawsuit.

She temporarily moves into a women's shelter under the watchful eye of Barb, the strict supervisor, and turns to Kevin, an aspiring lawyer, for help.

'Tow' Is Not Your Typical Drama About the Struggle Against Soulless Bureaucracy

Although there have been many movies about the struggle against ruthless bureaucracy, Tow stands out. Rather than focusing on investigative journalism or attempts to change the law, it tells the story of an inconvenient woman who encounters obstacles at every turn.

Director Stephanie Laing and actress Rose Byrne previously collaborated on the series Physical. In Tow, they opt for a sharp, emotional tone and caustic humor that highlights the absurdity of the heroine's situation.

Tow focuses on a marginalized segment of society and the pressures that deprive people of hope. The drama could easily have descended into exploitation, but Amanda defies labels – she refuses to be disrespected and only grows stronger under pressure.

'Tow' Is Worth Watching for Rose Byrne's Brilliant Performance Alone

Rose Byrne, who was nominated for an Oscar for her role in If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, continues to explore female rage and the darker aspects of the female experience.

Rather than building Amanda's character solely on trauma, Byrne makes her simultaneously determined and vulnerable, resilient and tired, and capable of hurting back. This complexity enables viewers to connect with Amanda directly rather than relying on forced pity.

Laing maintains a balance between tragedy and comedy, shifting the tone from dark to light. Social topics are explored through visual techniques such as extreme close-ups and cross-cutting.

Amanda Ogle, the real-life inspiration for the film, served as its executive producer. She still lives in sheltered housing and struggles with depression and admits that the lawsuit against the towing company helped her gain a stronger grip on life.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Tow'?

• Tow has 77% from critics and 61% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.3/10.

• On Letterboxd, Tow scored 3.1/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Tow'?

Tow is available to buy or rent on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.