Outside In

There's a strange quality to Outside In that made me feel like I was watching a movie I've seen before. There's a particular style to indie character dramas like this one that can start to feel familiar and unoriginal. I can't point to a specific movie I've seen about a man who gets released from prison and wants to date an older woman who helped him get out, but I always felt like I was 3 steps ahead of the story in this movie. They telegraph things early, and don't really deviate from the expected narrative. Honestly, I was much more intrigued by the relationship between the main character and the young girl, because that had more nuance to it. I liked the idea of a guy who was incarcerated at a young age finding that he relates more to young people when he gets out. There are some awkward moments that I didn't enjoy, but otherwise the story was just fine. The acting was decent, and the characters were somewhat compelling. It's one of the most average movies I can remember watching in recent memory. I wasn't bored by it, but I also wasn't enthralled by it. I wanted to see how the story would end, but I also don't know if I'll remember how it ended within a few months. It's the kind of movie that will fade from my memory and get mixed in with the large number of other bland character dramas I've seen throughout my life. Outside In even has a forgettable title.

(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

This movie may not fit into releasing to major theaters. However, it is a touching one. I like the unassuming kindness and unorthodox story telling.

Human beings are fragile in our own natures. There are moments when circumstances are beyond our controls and our morals and virtues are put into tested. Making right choices becomes challenging to our souls and bodies. We have to turn to the higher power for guidances. Doing right things seldom presents conveniences. It often requires courage. But if we don't consistently challenge our souls, our lives as we know might be heading into extinction.

We have nature to be selfish and unsympathetic. This movie showed how the opposite side could be. It is a great treat for our souls.

Good story, good acting, good cinematography... The score didn't catch my attention, but I guess it must have been decent. Loved the different relationships between characters. Also Kaitlyn Dever is so adorable! She brings a smile on my face every time I see her on screen.