Life Inside Out

Satisfying is the first word that comes to mind to describe this film. The story works, the characters are believable, the acting is not forced, the cinematography is perfect, the sound track is pleasing. It's a feel-good family story in a not trite way. Seriously! Almost-empty-nest Mom is taking a creative risk in her life. Disaffected and insolent teen son bonds with mother over open-mic style music - and he teaches himself to play guitar via an unorthodox method. This movie is a classic example of show not tell - we are in the story as it unfolds in front of our eyes. It's definitely a keeper. 10 out of 10 in the way only an indie movie can be. Nothing showy, just solid storytelling and movie-making.

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.

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.

An incredibly beautiful story of a mother, a family, a couple, a misfit teen trying to find his way and the many variations by which love is expressed. This is a movie for even those who don't like this kind of movie. You will laugh and cry, wince at points with the characters as their individual challenges are exposed and you see them more as whole people not just the mask they show the world. This is destined to be a classic, a simple tale on the surface that runs so deep that you can see it a dozen times and still come away with something new.And thru out enjoy the music. The songs are amazing, the acting superb and the story line very realistic. I can't say enough good about it without adding the spoilers I'm trying to avoid. Go. See it. Carry it home in your heart.

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.