Nowhere to Run is a 1993 action drama film directed by Robert Harmon, co-written by Joe Eszterhas and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme.
After a prison bus is flipped over and a man named Billy is shot and killed by a guard, recently-escaped convict Sam Gillen (Van Damme) ends up in a farmland and finds refuge in the home of Clydie Anderson (Rosanna Arquette) and her children Mookie (Kieran Culkin) and Bree (Tiffany Taubman). When he finds out that ruthless developer Franklin Hale (Joss Ackland) is trying to tear down her home, Sam resolves to stop Hale from destroying her land.
This film provides examples of:
- Big Bad: Franklin Hale, a real estate developer trying to destroy Clydie's home and drive her off the land.
- Bond One-Liner: After shooting Dunston in the chest, Sam says, "Au revoir, fucker."
- Bittersweet Ending: Hale is arrested for his crimes, but in the end, Sam agrees to turn himself in to Lonnie. However, he promises to Clydie that he will return to her and her kids one day.
- The Cavalry: As Hale holds Clydie at gunpoint, the police storm the house and promptly arrest Hale.
- Dead Man Writing: Sam listens to a tape recording from Billy about the money left for him.
- The Dragon: Mr. Dunston, Hale's personal lackey.
- Groin Attack: The last thing Hale receives from Sam as he's being arrested.
- Mr. Fanservice: Sam bathing in the lake, and taking a shower.
- Ms. Fanservice: Arquette's nude scene whilst taking a shower.
- The Peeping Tom: Sam spies on Clydie taking a shower.
- Tired of Running: One of the reasons why Sam turns himself in at the end.
- Tranquil Fury: Sam to Mr. Dunston: "If I see you near her or the children, I'll kill you."
- Villainous Breakdown:
- Mr. Dunston: "I'm sick of this town, I'm sick of YOU! I wanna go home!"
- Franklin Hale: "If you and your little pissant army can't persuade one woman to sell me her land, then I may have to find someone who can!"
- Would Hit a Girl: After Clydie spits on the contract to sell her land, Mr. Dunston slaps her behind her head.
- Would Hurt a Child: Hale and Dunston were perfectly willing to let Mookie and his sister Bree get harmed.
