Life Inside Out (2014)

Pretty Good

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

The acting in this movie is really good.

Beautiful film which draws you in from the first frame. Maggie is a mom whose daily grind leaves little time to devote to self discovery and fulfilling activities. She is pulled by the demands of making dinner and balancing the budget along with managing the different personalities of her kids, husband and sister. As she notices her high school son struggling, she searches for ways to reach him. Music is the bridge that brings the two of them together and reveals each to the other in a deeper sense. I love that in this film the ending is really a beginning but more than that it is a beautiful testament to selfless love, especially a mother's. The characters in this film were well written and real without being difficult to like--each resonated with me on a soul level. Order this film and get ready to relax with characters who feel like old friends.

This film was very inspirational and thought provoking. It also made me laugh and cry. I enjoyed the ride completely from start to finish. Everyone in my home could relate to this film. I especially loved how the family worked together, despite moments of friction, to support each other. Being over forty myself and a singer/songwriter, I completely identified with the character played by the super talented Maggie Baird. My son, who is a teenager, loved the acting and the music by the mega-talented Finneas Baird O'Connell. We both loved watching the relationship and support between these two characters and could completely relate. All of the music in the film was superb. I wish more movies like this one would be made, because it is a great reflection of life and how things can work themselves out in a positive way if we are open to them and support each other. Loved the cinematography, humor, passion and artistry. A must see film!

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.

This sweet film is poignant and true. The script speaks to the heart of most of our families--flawed, struggling, yet enduring. Maggie Baird is illuminating as the mom of three sons, one of whom is a floundering 14 year old who is depressed, sullen, and withdrawn. As she rediscovers an old passion for guitar, singing and song writing, her son, played by her real life son, Phinneas, discovers he, too, is passionate about, and talented as a singer/songwriter. He begins to come out of his shell; he emerges as someone who feels he has value; and he sees and appreciates his mother in ways most 14 year old sons can't.Through humor and simplicity of story telling, we become a part of this family. We feel their financial struggle. We love the long term marriage of the parents, still so committed, yet winding their way through these muddy middle years. We relate to the sibling relationships. We so deeply feel the anxiety and isolation of adolescence. And when perseverance and unrelenting mother love and support help them both to find their way, our hearts soar with their discoveries.