Life Inside Out

"Life Inside Out" is a story that anyone can relate to. How far do you take a dream? Laura, the main character, re-discovers an old passion - songwriting, which has previously taken a back seat to raising a large family. But the core of the film is how that pursuit of that dream draws her closer to her family, specifically her moody son. The film lays out characters that act truthfully towards one another in a plot that also strives for realism over showy theatrics and lame movie conventions. The direction by Jill D'Agnenica is calculatedly unobtrusive in its style, yet she draws good performances out of the actors, especially Maggie Baird and David Cowgill. Along the way, there's humor and warmth, making this a "Life" worth examining!

This is an excellent film of a character finding a little bit about herself. Few films have a woman in her 40s as the lead. This film makes an engrossing trip into the daily life of one as she finds a part of herself she forgot about and in the process, discovers a side her son as well. Great acting, great directing, a seamlessly crafted work of art. A good family film that avoids clichés yet delivers contemporary America with a realism that is pleasant, mundane and totally familiar.

With scenes involving ScrapBooking and Open Mic performance events, LIFE INSIDE OUT hits hilariously and painfully close to everyone's contemporary suburban existence.

This film is a delight - a lovely, funny, poignant, well made, well written, well acted indie film. Think ONCE but in a traditional family. It is so refreshing to see a story about a woman who isn't in her 20s or 30s and who is empowering herself while still taking care of her family. The music is terrific both from the leads and from the featured musicians. At the showing I attended, there was a talk back and someone commented that, like ONCE, it would make a great stage musical. I concur. This is the kind of film that doesn't get attention from big distributors because nothing blows up and there are no stars. But it's better than much of the blockbuster stuff out there. Run, don't walk.

This sweet film is poignant and true. The script speaks to the heart of most of our families--flawed, struggling, yet enduring. Maggie Baird is illuminating as the mom of three sons, one of whom is a floundering 14 year old who is depressed, sullen, and withdrawn. As she rediscovers an old passion for guitar, singing and song writing, her son, played by her real life son, Phinneas, discovers he, too, is passionate about, and talented as a singer/songwriter. He begins to come out of his shell; he emerges as someone who feels he has value; and he sees and appreciates his mother in ways most 14 year old sons can't.

Through humor and simplicity of story telling, we become a part of this family. We feel their financial struggle. We love the long term marriage of the parents, still so committed, yet winding their way through these muddy middle years. We relate to the sibling relationships. We so deeply feel the anxiety and isolation of adolescence. And when perseverance and unrelenting mother love and support help them both to find their way, our hearts soar with their discoveries.

This film is deeply moving, joyful, hopeful, real, tender, fun - it celebrates the best of humanity through the rich elements of unity, support, beauty, love, sincerity, creativity and it demonstrates the power of creativity and expression to connect people to each other and themselves. It is always fantastic to see a daring and loving woman over 40 become more of who she already is. The cherry on the cake is the music, and even more cherries are each collaboration between mother and son. The movie itself is a song of loving life. Maggie Baird does an incredible job as a best actress, in every right. This is the exactly the kind of film the world needs more of and it deserves a world-wide audience. Excellence in writing, directing, cinematography, soundtrack, and acting. Flawless, really.