Outside In (2017) Reviews

• Perfectly perfect !

  cekadah2018-04-07

  Director: Lynn Shelton and writers: Jay Duplass & Lynn Shelton have created a story that goes straight to the heart & soul. Beautifully scripted, filmed, and acted "Outside In" is one of those unforgettable stories that puts tears in your eyes but a sense of hope and joy in your heart. Jay Duplass plays 'Chris' an ex-con who comes home after 20 years in jail. We know his readjustment to everyday life will be challenging for him but too his luck there are people there who do not want to judge him for a long past crime. Love and friendship finds it's way back into his life but this brings alot of troublesome baggage with it. Chis just wants to do whats right! This is a beautifully made film and the Duplass brothers have another star in their crown. I truly hope this movie gets the public attention it so deserves. Seek it out and watch it!

• Simply told story, memorable acting.

  jdesando2018-04-03

  Although Lynn Shelton's slice of small town Pacific Northwest life (pay attention Everett and Granite Falls) in Outside In is so authentic as to defy artful interpretations, it is a minimalist portrait of ambitions circumscribed and affections compromised. In other words, it elevates working class melodrama into art house heavy while retaining the hint of desperate housewives of any small town. Almost 40-year old Chris (Jay Duplass) has been released from prison after 20 years with the aid of his do-gooder former teacher, Carol (Edie Falco). Arriving in Granite Falls, Washington State, he is faced with hitherto unsuspected expectations from the two leading ladies: Carol and her daughter Hildy (Kaitlyn Dever). A brief brush with another lady reminds us that a handsome bachelor, recently released from prison for being innocent, is fair game for romantically inclined small-town women. Shelton's approach is to let the realism dominate without veering too sharply into contrived, ironic situations. Chris's adjustment into civilian life will be fraught with suspicion and jealousy, just as in the real world his siblings and friends have always lived. Falco and Duplass are so believably good as two adults who need to start life over that you miss the clichés and unsurprising turns because the leads become family whose fates matter very much to us. Outside In is not kitchen-sink drama; it is simply simple life warm, troubled, and endearing. And that acting . . . . "There are aspects of small town life that I really like - the routine nature of it, the idea of people knowing you and your likes and dislikes." Cress Williams

• A real Gem of a movie for drama lovers

  Frame-By-Frame2018-04-09

  The story is focused on Chris, a likeable guy in his late 30's who has just been released from prison after a 20 year stint. He was jailed for a crime he didn't commit and his early release is down to his former school teacher Carol who has spent practically the last 20 years supporting and working on his case to prove his innocence. Carol is much older than Chris and their time together has created a bond. Carol is married and has a daughter. Carol's marriage and home life is problematic, not helped by the amount of time she has spent fighting Chris's case in addition to her regular teaching job. That's the background to the movie but the real joy is seeing how Chris integrates back into small town life in Granite Falls, Washington State. His relationships with those around him. The stigma associated with his imprisonment His innocence attracting the attention of potential lovers. Then there's that bond between Chris and Carol and where that might lead. There's a lot of love and thought gone into the story. The 2 lead characters are superbly cast and absolutely carry the movie. I was very impressed with the camera work. Some really nicely composed shots and direction that helped to portray the atmosphere without being 'in your face different' My rating 8/10 Highly recommended if you like a good drama

• Wonderfully written, blissfully portrayed - This is what I call a DRAMA FILM!

  onyinye-egenti2018-04-08

  In these days of so-called big budget Fifty Shades of so-so, thank God for films like "Outside In". Seriously, thank you! "Outside In" is the real deal where love is heart-breaking, painfully flawed, raw! And possibly home-breaking on occasion. This heart-wrenching earth-shattering near-lyrical drama piece grips my heart in a vice from its gentle-toned beginning right to its powerful end. My heart is in my throat begging for a chance and some understanding for the main character, CHRIS, who has been without understanding and compassion, even love, for so long (20 years) his life has become a desert without water, and I kept praying as I watched, for him not to be broken or hurt further by the one person from whom such an act would be a killing blow, Carol. A Tale of the purest innocent love so heart-achingly portrayed that I am without words. Give me "Outside In" over Fifty Shades of Whatever any day!

• Outside In - a pleasure to watch

  jcwltdinc2018-04-15

  Outside In (Spoiler Alert) Great example of low budget drama film where the actor's capacities, almost exclusively, determines the movie's entertainment worth. No action film special effects here! The actor's skill, along with the direction by Lynn Sheldon, and some unique additions from the musical score, is what makes Outside In an outstanding film. The story centers on Chris (Jay Duplass), a recently released convict, who was convicted and sent to prison at 18 years of age. He served 20 years to keep his brother Ted's (Ben Schwartz) involvement in a crime a secret and Ted out of jail. His former high school teacher Carol (Edie Falco), kept in contact with Chris while he was in prison and worked for his early release. Carol is the second primary character in the movie. She is an English teacher and a person that is in a long and dreary marriage. She has also grown distant from the third primary character of the movie, her teenage daughter Hildy (Kaitlyn Dever). Carol's dreary marriage situation, and distance relationship to Hildy, is at least partially caused by the time Carol has devoted to helping Chris. Hildy is somewhat withdrawn from the world, and perhaps lonely, but takes refuge in her art, perhaps not realizing the artistic talent she possesses. Carol's husband Tom (Charles Leggett) seems to feel his marriage to Carol is supposed to be dreary at this point in their lives. Chris's brother Ted (Ben Schwartz), whose life seems to be a continuous party. He appears to be guilt ridden because of Chris's prison sentence that protected him, his infrequent contact with Chris while Chris was in prison, and his inability to do anything meaningful with his life during the 20 years of freedom Chris's prison term has allowed him to have. Ted's incapability to reestablish a relationship with Chris takes away Chris's most likely potential emotional support relationship and leaves him somewhat isolated. Adding to Chris's challenges is his arrested emotional development, caused by being in prison since the age of 18. It creates issues with his relationship with Carol - as well as with Hildy. Chris and Hildy in many ways are at the same emotional developmental level and bond because of it. Ironically the common emotional level of Chris and Hildy causes separate, but similar, emotional missteps in their relationships with others. The film is filled with numerous situations (some humorous, some sad) where Chris needs to adjust to current technology, culture and history that are a result of being away and in prison for 20 years. The situations feel very real and not contrived for the movie's entertainment purposes. The movie progresses at a steady pace and the viewer doesn't realize they are being swept along in what, at the end of the movie, seems to have been a very real and believable representation of a true life story. A very believable story that could have been about a family member, a friend, or someone you know. The performance by Edie Falco (Carol) is outstanding, with every spoken line, facial expression and action seemingly very believable and true to life. Carol is a type of character that has not been a typical Falco role in the past. Her performance shows another dimension to her skills and is a credit to her career. Kaitlyn Dever (Hildy) also delivers the same outstanding level of performance - but with less screen time devoted to her character. Dever again shows that she is clearly skilled beyond her years and should have a brilliant career ahead of her. Jay Duplass (Chris) also delivers a strong performance but perhaps not demonstrating some of the same nuanced drama capability as Falco and Dever. This is a film well worth viewing and a pleasure to watch. Perhaps Shelton's best film to date. Overall a very strong recommendation.