Such a frustrating disappointment

Powerful

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

Art professor Allen Meneric (Nick Stahl) is being evaluated at a mental institution for criminals. He brutally murdered a man who he thought raped his girlfriend, with the irony of it being the wrong man. While in prison he has flashbacks to his childhood to let us know he has other issues as his mom's number two son.In prison Allen meets Ben Marshall played by a Toj Johnson looking Pruitt Taylor Vince. He has a wonderful character, whose crime we don't find out until the end. He provides the production with some good dry humor during the early slow character build up. Lines such as: "I have friends, Bob and Isaac. I can't really count Isaac because only Bob can see him."Eventually Allen gets moved to minimum security where he meets the bipolar Mia (Olivia Wilde) whose character subplot was weak. The film eventually transforms from a smart psychological drama to an action film that doesn't quite make it. Good acting. Sharp dialog. But the ending didn't bring it home.PARENTAL GUIDE: F-bomb, sex, no nudity.This is another film shot in Pittsburgh which due to its financial incentives, infrastructure, and skilled locals is becoming the "Hollywood" of the east.

Usually, I only review Horror films. However, in this case, I gladly make an exception. The first review I've seen for this film has been titled "I Don't Get Why This is Only a 5", which has really made me happy. Finally I'm not the only one to notice how painfully unfair some of the reviews and ratings are on this site.On The Inside tells the story of a man locked up in an asylum for the criminally insane. The story and screenplay are interesting, compelling and realistic, giving the audience just the right amount of "suspension of disbelief". The build up in regards to some of the characters could have been slightly more elaborate, and the film altogether could have been longer, but considering the final product - Director/Writer D.W. Brown has done a great job.The absolute best part in my opinion is the acting. Nick Stahl, whom I've only seen in Terminator 3, has been given a much greater challenge, to which he stood up beautifully. However, with all due respect, the supporting cast have been the ones to truly leave an impression on me. House MD's own Olivia Wilde, as beautiful as always, has really done a great job playing the role of Bi-Polar patient Mia, and Dash Mihok has done just as well in the role of murdering sociopath Carl Tarses. However, the Oscar obviously and most definitely goes to Pruitt Taylor Vince. The way he played the role of Ben Marshal has been no less than an inspiration. I honestly felt like standing up and applauding, and if I were to ever meet him - I'd sure like to shake his hand. Perhaps most of the audience, who have never seen the inside of an asylum before nor met the inhabitants, couldn't have really appreciated the fine delicate nuances of the superb acting and how realistically the cast have portrayed the characters, but it was truly amazing.Perhaps the film could have used a more prominent twist in the plot, and altogether a longer story. However, all in all, not since Jack Nicklseon in "The Cuckoo's Nest" have we been blessed with such a fine work of art showing the lives of the criminally insane. I've been deeply impressed by "On The Inside", and would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone, if only for the superb acting!

There was no point to this movie. There were bad guys(and girls) and worse bad guys. They were all killers and I think we were supposed to feel bad?? because they are living it up in a comfy mental institution?? The "good guys" are Allen and his new mental gf Mia. He killed 2 people that we know of and caused the death of his friends mom. (he was only convicted of one) And the girlfriend set fire to a building killing a couple of "old people." Possibly if these characters showed any type of remorse it might have made a difference but I doubt it.The only reason we see any humanity in them is because of how bad the other criminals are.Its a waste of time, no point, no character development, stupid soundtrack, and its dark. I don't know what we're supposed to take away from this movie. The only thing I can say is that is well acted for what it is but I can not recommend it.

Watch this one for the acting. We get to see some pretty mainstream actors playing crazy, and it is gripping to watch. Olivia Wilde gave a phenomenal performance. I enjoyed her in this more than anything else I have seen her in. Olivia really went to a vulnerable and broken place to play this role. The story was simple, but this movie wasn't really story driven. In contrast, the characters were deep, and the actor's performances carried this movie. We don't really see the characters grow, or change, except for some subtle realizations at the end. What we do get is a slowly deepening glimpse into the minds of some some very confused people and the deeper we go, the more human they become to us. This movie is really trying to tell us that among the most damaged people in our society, while many are beyond redemption, others are just trying to find happiness, and to figure out what that is for them and if it is even possible given their flawed natures.