Sossamon starred in Monte Hellman 's independent romantic thriller '' Road to Nowhere '' . Her role was Lauren Graham , a non-professional actress invited to star in a movie by a director who falls in love with her . Sossamon was the first person to be cast in the film after writer Steven Gaydos saw her in a restaurant rehearsing a scene with another person . Reluctant , Gaydos gave the actress his card saying , " I do n't do this often , but I wonder if you or your agent would contact director Monte Hellman " . The movie screened at the 67th Venice International Film Festival in September 2010 , and received a very limited theatrical release in the U.S the following year . It generated mostly positive reactions from critics , with Sossamon 's role gaining a similar response . Kevin Thomas , of '' Los Angeles Times '' remarked that the film " ultimately stands on the beauty and talent of its femme fatale , and Shannyn Sossamon is so stunning and gifted she actually withstands a remark comparing her to Louise Brooks " . Meanwhile , Colin Convert for '' Star Tribune '' wrote in his review : " The key to the movie is casting the right femme fatale , and non-actress Shannyn Sossamon , the mystery woman 's eerie doppelgänger , wins the part and her director 's heart " . When asked in a 2013 interview about what roles she was most proud of to date , she responded that those she had played in '' Road to Nowhere '' and 2006 's '' Wristcutters ''
67th Venice International Film Festival
67th Venice International Film Festival
Shannyn Sossamon