Outside In

Really beautifully written story and great acting. How it feels to come back to the world after a twenty year incarceration. Feeling deep feelings of love for the only person that fought for release from prison, in spite of a huge age difference and also complicated by her marital status.

This movie certainly kept my interest and I rooted for the two main characters, who portrayed a palpable sadness. I wanted them to find happiness, and toward the end of the film, I believe they did. Just not nicely wrapped up with a bow, as life is not usually like that. So I appreciated the ending also.

Great supporting cast as well.

Don't listen to the negative reviews. The subplots were also interesting and important. If you like films that steer away from action, sci-fi, and romance, and would like to see a film about the intricacies and complications of everyday life, this is a must see.

(Some of the photography wasnt that great) story was touching and sensitive. The age differences needs to be acceptable in our society as well as ex-cons needing more attention. It was good.

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

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

A quiet piece of theatre that explodes into diverse emotions. It doesn't delve much into why Chris was imprisoned for 20 years but into how he copes with being free in a world that has passed him by. (He is amazed at what smartphones can do but he doesn't know whether he can send or receive SMS on his phone!)

Understandably, he has strong feelings for Carol, his only friend for 20 years, who helped him to become a free man. This causes problems for her, her family and himself.

Edie Falco's performance is powerful in a quiet, understated sort of way. The conflict that she has to deal with is palpable. Jay Duplass delivers magnificently on his role as a recently released prisoner with ambivalent but strong emotions. Add to these, Kaitlyn Denver's and Ben Schwartz's portrayal, and you have a powerful movie in the making.

The music is haunting: the ukelele and organ background music soars.

This movie is all about dealing with relationships, mending them, asking for forgiveness. Human drama at its best.