The Outside Story

Charles is stuck, and he knows it. He wants to stay inside his comfort zone, which is his pleasant Brooklyn apartment, and avoid contact with the world outside as much as possible. He steps outside, however, inadvertently leaving his keys inside, and what happens on his day in the sunlight is what this movie is about. A simple story, told without passion or bombast--but played with infinite commitment and joy by an ensemble led by actor Brian Tyree Henry, a brilliant and charismatic performer we shall (or at least should) see much more of in coming years. Slow to take off, the film soars by its ultimate conclusion. A little gem.

Bland and NOT really funny at all. More of a tv movie than a real movie.

The story: a man locks himself out of his apartment and he meets his neighbours while trying to get back in. Did sound funny and promising, but the dialogues and the characters and the direction are so bland.

The bad: bland, nothing really funny.

Not any good? Well, it is perfect wallpaper television. You wont get irritated by it, only bored...

I enjoyed the low stakes energy of the film. There aren't many films that are optimistic and life-affirming these days, especially in the indie sphere, and I appreciated that a bunch.

If you've ever had any affection for New York City, this is a well made film showing the city at its best. The mostly theatrical staging grounds it not only in the scope of is intentions, but also the tradition of its backdrop.

I generally prefer films with complex plots, and i also generally recoil at the very concept of a comedy-drama. But The Outside Story is both these things, but also very good.

Charles is boring, lame Newyorker. He is content with sitting at home doing nothing, he has a stuffy job that he takes way too seriously and it bums him out, and he is generally not fun to be around. Charles' girlfriend Isha has unfortunately come to the same conclusion, and at the very start of the film, she has left him. To make things worse, in a moment of absentmindedness, Charles also locks himself out of his Brooklyn apartment.

No keys, a dying phone battery, no money, no shoes, in order to survive the day, without starving, getting arrested or soiling himself, Charles has to urgently learn how to Deal With People.

.. everything about this film is done the way *I* expect a film to be done; well written, superbly acted, interesting characters that spring out of the setting rather than sticking out, good pacing, good photography, good soundtrack, spotless dialogue, and TOS works both as a comedy, but also as a drama.

I would happily recommend this film. The plot is simple, but do not let that deceive you - there is plenty of enjoyment to be had here.

My vote: 7.5/10 - a lovely, well made film that delivers more than expected.