No Looking Back | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

36% Tomatometer 22 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings

The story centers on Claudia (Lauren Holly), a woman who has a steady relationship with Michael (Jon Bon Jovi), and a steady job at the local diner. While her dreams take her far beyond this small, seaside town, her mother's (Blythe Danner) depression over a failed marriage, as well as her bond with her sister Kelly (Connie Britton), keep Claudia from straying too far from home. It is the unexpected return of Claudia's ex-boyfriend Charlie (Edward Burns) that forces her to re-examine her life.

No Looking Back

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Critics Consensus

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

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Critics Reviews

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No Looking Back | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Mike Clark USA Today It's conclusive proof that life in an oceanside burg can be drab and uninvolving. Rated: 1.5/4 Jan 9, 2018 Full Review No Looking Back | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Globe and Mail Rated: 4/4 Apr 12, 2002 Full Review No Looking Back | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Susan Stark Detroit News Rated: 2/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review No Looking Back | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com A minor moody character study, Burns' third film is a misguided foray into the woman's picture, only partially evoking the dead-end-small-town life of a working-class waitress (Lauren Holly, Burns' girlfriend) Rated: C- Sep 16, 2006 Full Review No Looking Back | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Film Threat Rated: 2.5/5 Dec 6, 2005 Full Review No Looking Back | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Daniel Eagan Film Journal International Pretentious, phony melodrama about blue collar lovers Rated: 1/5 Jul 12, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Slow moving rom-drama with charm. As far as Burns' Stories From Long Island trilogy goes (along with Brothers McMullen & She's The One) this is the biggest downer of the three. The dialogue is pretty elementary and the story isn't anything new, but that's not to say there isn't some fine performances. Ed Burns continues playing the same character and the great Blythe Danner is really underutilized, but the consistently flat Lauren Holly adds a bit more depth in her performance. The real surprise is Jon Bon Jovi, whose years as a frontman made this transition look effortless. The ladies will enjoy this one. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/28/21 Full Review william s Average comedy,average romance and average drama.....just average. Rated 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review don s Very down to earth blue-collar love story involving a triangle among three friends who've known each other since grade school. The acting, even by Bon Jovi, is top notch. The story is too familiar (small town girl jilted by longtime boyfriend takes up with his best friend after the split, etc.) but the emotions play real. Much better than I thought it would be. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member good blue collar drama and another missing review Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member THIS IS MY FAVORITE JON BON JOVI MOVIE! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review Read all reviews

No Looking Back

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Cast & Crew

Edward Burns Director Lauren Holly Claudia Edward Burns Charlie Ryan Jon Bon Jovi Michael Blythe Danner Claudia's Mom Connie Britton Kelly
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Synopsis The story centers on Claudia (Lauren Holly), a woman who has a steady relationship with Michael (Jon Bon Jovi), and a steady job at the local diner. While her dreams take her far beyond this small, seaside town, her mother's (Blythe Danner) depression over a failed marriage, as well as her bond with her sister Kelly (Connie Britton), keep Claudia from straying too far from home. It is the unexpected return of Claudia's ex-boyfriend Charlie (Edward Burns) that forces her to re-examine her life.

Director
Edward Burns

Producer
Edward Burns, Ted Hope, Michael Nozik

Screenwriter
Edward Burns

Distributor
Gramercy Pictures

Production Co
South Fork Pictures, Good Machine, Marlboro Road Gang, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

Rating
R (Language)

Genre
Drama

Original Language
English

Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 27, 1998, Wide

Release Date (DVD)
Oct 16, 2001

Box Office (Gross USA)
$221.8K

Runtime
1h 36m

Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR

Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
No Looking Back | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)
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