Outside

Didn't expect much. From the movie description, sounded pretty depressing. To my surprise, the acting was on par and an impressive directorial debut from Wallizada. Give it a watch- you might be surprised...

I didn't have high expectations for Farahd Abdullah Wallizada's 'Outside', an Ultra-Low Budget movie about an agoraphobic artist forming a relationship with a student that moonlights as an escort. Considering the plot, I figured it would have been filmed mostly on a single set (I was right). Neither of the two lead actors, Megan Tully & Farahd, had ever done a full-featured film and this was Wallizada's first effort at directing. I mean, how good could it really be?

The answer? EXCELLENT! Despite the lack of a budget and experience, this movie kept me engaged from start to finish. Wallizada's character had depth, which was revealed more & more as the movie progressed. Megan Tully's character displayed an internal sadness, without the use of words. You could see it in her eyes, and that's NOT an easy emotion to maintain throughout a full-length picture.

The two brought a chemistry to the screen that was both believable & captivating and the ending was satisfying... yet it left me wanting to know the rest of the story.

I recommend seeing it. It's one of the more enjoyable 86 minutes I've spent watching lately!

Ramzi (Farahd Abdullah Wallizada) is an agoraphobic shut-in who has not left his Seattle apartment in over five years. One day, he invites Ana, a college student moonlighting as an escort, to his apartment and they begin talking; a complete reversal of Ana's otherwise troubled life. In return, she tries to help Ramzi go 'Outside'.

Nicely rounded film! Script, acting, and flow are all great! There are a few glaring sort of plotholes, such as the nature of Ana's collegiate and personal lives - and in truth, this film could have been a bit longer to expand upon those points.

Definitely surprising and worth a watch!

I was reluctant to view this film at first, based on the lower score. I really liked the strong character interactions between the lead actors. The storyline was good after you get used to the slower pace. Very impressed!