Outside Providence (1999)

Don't Believe the Hype

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Outside Providence is a real feel good movie. It's starts out and you think it's going to be a stoner movie, or maybe a kid rise out of a broken family movie, you even hate the father immediately. Alec Baldwin is over acting that role, but at some point... you're saying to yourself: "It's just right". It is a caricature, but a sensible one.The evolution of the main character is truly believable, and you're given all the right milestones to his progression. The rescue he conjure up is even realistic.The acting is good, even if the stoners are overdone, especially the main one. The editing is invisible, the soundtrack well incorporated, the story interesting, the dialogues solid, and the romance very sweet.See it, and you'll have a good evening.

Recap: Tim Dunphy grows up in Pawtucket. His brother is in a wheelchair, his father raising them alone and struggling to get by. There isn't much to do but drink and smoke pot. But after driving, both drunk and stoned, and crashing at full speed into a parked police car, his life is about to change. But not in the way he thinks. Due to some odd connections, instead of getting jail, he get sent to a posh prep school. There he got to fight for his place and identity, and fight against the sadistic student master Funderburk. And then there is a girl.Comments: An average and pretty standard growing up story with most of the clichés about growing up. The struggle to find one's identity and path in life. You got the struggling youth in a struggling home, drinking and smoking, who then due some hardships learns to take responsibility and set a path for himself. And of course meets a girl. Nothing new.A movie written by the Farrely brothers and director Corrente this should not be confused with comedies like Dumb & Dumber or There's something about Mary. Outside Providence is quirky and delivers a fun remark now and then, but not at all in line with movies more thought of when you hear that the Farrelys has been involved. Outside Providence is much more a drama with a romantic flair and some comedy spice.A lot of known actors appear, mostly in small supporting roles, while the story is more focused on young more unknown actors. The exception being Amy Smart that of course is the romantic interest. A solid performance from her once again, it is still a puzzle for me why she hasn't made it bigger than she has. As far as I can tell she both got the looks and the talent.Not a movie to remember, and not a movie I would recommend. Not that it is bad, because it certainly isn't. But because there are others that are much better in each comparable genre.5/10

The ambiguity of youth and the road to maturity are addressed in a somewhat stoically humorous manner by the Farrelly Brothers in the comedy, `Outside Providence,' directed by Michael Corrente. Set in New England in 1974, the story centers on Tim Dunphy (Shawn Hatosy), an irresponsible seventeen-year-old who since the untimely death of his mother has lived with his gruff, blue-collar father (Alec Baldwin), his crippled younger brother, Jackie (Tommy Bone) and a one-eyed, three-legged dog. Life is less than idyllic for Tim, but it doesn't seem to make much difference as long as he can live in the moment and get high with his friends. In that respect, in fact, life is pretty good. Tim's a senior in high school with nary a care in the world, until a car accident involving drugs and alcohol lands him in big trouble, and he avoids incarceration only by the grace and intervention of one of his father's `connected' cronies. Instead of jail time he is sent away to the prestigious prep school, Cornhill, whereupon graduation his offense will be expunged from his record. All he has to do is toe the line and get through his senior year. But that senior year can last a long time, especially after he meets Jane Weston (Amy Smart), the girl of his (and everybody else's) dreams. So what is a lad to do, knuckle down, follow the rules and put his life in order-- or follow his heart? Or, as Tim replies when a teacher asks him to name his favorite author, `Hamlet.' To be, or not to be. And that is the question.While not terribly original by any means, Corrente's film (which he co-wrote with Bobby and Peter Farrelly, adapted from the novel by Peter Farrelly) is funny and well presented, and has that quirky, recognizable Farrelly Brother's touch. There's even a poignant moment or two, and most importantly, this isn't a `silly' movie, and though the characters are fairly stereotypical, Corrente manages to give it something of a fresh face and allows the humor to evolve naturally, never fishing for laughs or manipulating the situations purely for the sake of hilarity. And it works well; there are some genuinely funny scenes, some side-splitting lines and one signature Farrelly Brothers scene that involves a flashback of the traumatic `hazing' of a freshman named Irving (Jack Ferver).Shawn Hatosy gives a believable performance as Tim, and though he's not overly charismatic or likable, he does create a character with whom many peers and parents will be able to relate. Tim is a very real person feeling his way through a very precarious period of his life. And beyond the humorous aspects of the film, there is actually some very credible character development evident in Tim's behavior, and in the final analysis the overall picture not only aspires to a higher level because of it, but succeeds in that regard. Hatosy's Tim is very much the average kid who lives in your neighborhood and works at the local fast food joint while he figuring out what life is all about. Without anything singular or remarkable about him, he is entirely true-to-life and honest.As `Old Man Dunphy,' Baldwin gives a solid performance, and with limited screen time manages to establish his character with astute precision. Like Tim, Baldwin's character is real, and serves as a kind of core for the story, and that realism of the characters is one of the strengths of the film. The `Old Man' maintains a gruff exterior-- a bravura by which to live, if you will-- but you get a sense that there is something deeper to him, while at the same time you realize that what you see is very much a true perspective of who he really is as well. It's a matter of Baldwin's ability as an actor enabling him to infuse some complexity into a character that could easily have been one dimensional in less capable hands. The supporting cast includes Jon Abrahams (Drugs Delaney), Richard Jenkins (Barney), George Wendt (Joey), Adam LaVorgna (Tommy the Wire), Timothy Crowe (Mr. Funderbeck), George Martin (Dean Mort), Gabriel Mann (Jack) and Kristen Shorten (Bunny Cote). In a market veritably saturated for some time with comedies about teen angst (most of which are silly, insignificant, devoid of real humor and not worth the film they're printed on), with `Outside Providence,' Corrente and the Farrelly Brothers have to be given credit for delivering one that is truly funny while at the same time anchored in reality. There is, in fact, more here than meets the eye upon the initial viewing. Not only does it capture the essence of the era in which it takes place, but a sense of reality that in the end is definitive of it, as well. And it's done with humor, and without taking it over the edge, as the Farrelly Brothers are often wont to do. Ultimately, it's a satisfying experience, and it's the magic of the movies. I rate this one 7/10.

I was surprised how much I really enjoyed this movie. It was funny, it was sweet and the plot was interesting. It was also really plausable and very familiar to kids that age. I actually didn't want to rent this movie because I am not a fan of the Farelli Bros. but it took me by shock. I loved the characters, especially the main character. This movie was sweet but at the same time sort of odd (3 legged dog). I always enjoy a movie that I find to be slightly on a different track than others that come around around the same time. This movie was something unique and I wish I'd seen it earlier.