User reviews

Go see it. A great little Irish film. No big budget. No special effects. But a truly great true to life story with heart. I loved it. It left me thinking and asking questions long after it was over. An important film.

Michael Inside has been described as a prison film, a category with a welter of genre expectations in which director Frank Berry hasn't the slightest interest. His purpose rather is to expose audiences to the consequences of unexamined notions about crime and punishment. The film makes it obvious that cinematic depictions of crime rarely rise above titillation. Even great Gangster films - from Godfather to Casino - find a Wagnerian grandeur in their doomed heroes. There's no grandeur in Michael's story. Before he's locked up, he's imprisoned by family history, class and community. It's a polemic of the best kind, one that makes its case by plunging us into its protagonist's claustrophobic experience so completely that any didactic editorializing becomes redundant. The nearest comparison is the Italian film Gomorrah, another modern Neorealist drama with an objective camera, impressionistic editing, minimalist score, and laconic script. The British criminologist Tom Gash recently questioned the logic of locking up young men at precisely the age when they're most likely to stop engaging in criminality. It's a compelling argument but it's not enough to make it with statistics and reason. It will take angry films like Michael Inside to make people demand reform. These days the most trivial films are routinely described as important. This one is.

This movie hits all too close to home for me. I've seen people in situations quite similar to our protagonist, and this movie depicts it quite well. This is a well made film and conveys the emotions to the viewers exceptionally! Well worth a watch!

My wife and I enjoyed this gritty Irish drama. Acting by the lead character was top notch along with the movie itself. In my opinion all the positive reviews regarding this film are correct.

Well well well. Ireland are producing some quality films recently aren't they. This film starts off slowly but once you understand what's actually going on you are quickly drawn into this film. It's sad really but this must happen to a lot of people that go into prison for the littlest of things. Definitely worth a watch

A great story. I was so into it I wish it was an hour longer.

Irish movies usually aren't very good in my opinion as an Irish man. It's rare to watch a great Irish movie and very refreshing. Michael Inside is simply outstanding. I felt almost instantly engaged in the story thanks to masterful direction by Frank Berry and a gripping performance from the title character played by Dafhyd Flynn. If the Irish film board had any clue they would be giving Frank Berry a lot of money to make more movies. Michael Inside is the latest great Irish movie I'll add to my list along with recent releases like Black 47, Beyond The Woods and Patrick's Day. I couldn't recommend this movie enough. Moe Dunford's greatest performance since Patrick's Day also.

The premise of the film is minimal but the acting and the way the film looks is raw and realistic. I enjoyed it but it did test my patience a little at times, but that is more to do with my tastes than it is to do with the film. A good Irish film. A break from the blockbusters, which I don't often take the time to watch.

An excellent, gritty drama that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The lead actor Dafhyd (Michael) is brilliant and I expect to be seeing more of him in the future.

I felt the story plodded along rather than a slow burner. Hardly worth all of the 9's and 10's but not bad. No real ending to speak of but maybe a view on the downward spiral of prison life.

Basic story with powerful performances by both the son and grandad highlighting the very real and unfortunate circle of life that many can get stuck in from a small mistake! Extremely moving and remarkable film given the unknown cast and small budget another great reason to support independent films.

Pretty good lead performance. Realistic prison sequences although I wonder whether that kid Michael would have been able to deal with the prison bully thug and the thugs on the outside at the finale quite so easily. He didn't look tough enough . He looked like a boy band member. The grandfather acted well. Girlfriend Orla kinda odd looking. I thought the bearded guy in the prison who helped him maybe was a gay but that never materialized. All in all watchable. Not worth all the 9s and 10s given out on here though.

This film left me thoroughly depressed. Well acted and put together, but there's no way I'd sit through it again.

I don't have the artsy vocabulary to describe how well made this movie is, but there's plenty of other reviewers who have. Every aspect pulled me into Michael's world and traumatised me. Most reviewers don't mention the casting, which was perfect. They cast the scumbags so brilliantly, by which I mean the detective-level Gardaí. This is part of what made the experience so profound. The reality of being pulled into Ireland's Criminal Justice System that ostensibly protects Humanity, but is devoid of it where it truly matters - i.e. when entering into someone's home and sanctuary or when a young offender actually has innocence and prospects. It's very well researched and acts as an exposé of this State's war against the poor.

I couldn't watch this in one sitting, but I couldn't help returning to it. Don't miss this.

Good film, very well acted and shot. Completely captures what it is like to live on a council estate. You empathise with the characters, you get upset when they're upset, you are angry when they are angry; sure this is played up, but it is mostly reality. People like this do plod along, make mistakes and get themselves locked up. We understand this, we know of this. It isn't perfect; the ending montage is emotionally charged, although it does edge on the cheesy side, but it is a great effort.

It's a slow burn but with the budget taken into consideration it's a strong story well told. I would not be watching this movie purely for entertain, it would have to be as an appreciation for what the film maker is trying to communicate. Good cinematography. Definitely an arty indie film.

I enjoyed this film recently on Netflix. It's a great depiction of prison life, well, what I would imagine of prison life. Very slow, long days, lonely. It is a nice break from the hollywood blockbusters which are having less less impact on an emotional level for me. Well done to the Irish film makers here.

I'm currently worried so much for my boy at min and this really hit home

Created my account to review this movie.

The slippery slope that catches out so many kids in life is there for all to see. Peer pressure and bullying the order of the day and it's a case of a lamb to the slaughter with collateral damage all over the place.

A very sobering realistic kick in the teeth for us all.

Very good. If you wish to watch same climate, but much tougher I strongly recommend Polish movie "Symetria". Brilliant

Great and accurate representation of the penal system in the UK & Ireland. Slow burning but entertaining without all of the over the top gang initiations & guard takeovers that come with most modern films with prison as the focus point. Excellent little Irish film that's absolutely worth watching. 10/10.

One of the best Irish movies I watched in years.11 out of 10.

This is a very powerful, raw, sad yet somehow sweet and stylish great film. Although simple, it is rich of layers. It is beautifully written, acted and directed. The young actor is absolutely brilliant. It is a gem of a film.

Beautifully acted and heartbreaking. It's been a number of weeks since I watched it, yet I still think of it often.