Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.

Wonderful Movie

Redundant and unnecessary.

Admirable film.

A underrated and unfairly unknown little gem of a film.It's about a 15 year old overweight kid but it's far from a "kids flick" and even though it's a drama-comedy it never stoops to the level of cheesiness that usually comes with these sorts of movies, no sappy strings at sad moments, no big boombastic finale etc.Although it often is hilarious it still manages to feel fairly realistic which is a task in itself, and well-written and portrayed characters (Jacob Wisocki is perfect for the lead and John C Reilly as his mentor). Reminds me a bit of the TV series 'FREAKS & GEEKS' in that way.So yeah definitely worth checking out and may I say one of the best movies of 2011.

Terri comes off as your typical indie film with awkward characters dealing with unique, yet realistic situations. Several times in the film it felt as if long time micro-budget indie director Azazel Jacobs, and screenwriter Patrick Dewitt were trying to be different because that what indie films are supposed to do, but their strong cast refuses to color inside the lines and let that happen.Newcomer Wysocki brings a true sense of realism as the title character Terri. He is an awkward outsider who doesn't fit in with the "normal" crowd in high school. After a series of late tardies and his refusal to wear anything other than pajamas to school he is sent to the principal's office where Mr. Fitzgerald (Reilly) takes an interest and gives the lost kid a sense of hope.John C. Reilly is no stranger to the indie scene with scores of roles in smaller films including recently in Cedar Rapids and Cyrus. Reilly easily blends in as an actor into any size of film no matter how large or small. He knows when to turn up the silly, or ease into the dark side. Reilly finds the perfect balance in Terri.The supporting cast discovers ways to make their mark as well. Bridger Zadina finds laughs as Terri's deeply disturbed new friend with scores of his own problems. Olivia Crocicchia, best known for her role as Denis Leary's daughter, Katy, on the long running television hit Rescue Me, has no trouble as the nice teenage girl slipping down the wrong path. She shows great promise, and is a role or two away from finding herself on the next big thing list. It was also nice to see Creed Bratton break away from his hilariously bizarre character on The Office. It's stunning to see him in a serious role.Terri had many chances to slip into the pit holes that bring down any hopeful indie film, but finds away to dance over the trouble. Just when the film felt like it was being indie for Indies' sake it threw a curveball…and this is one audience member who is glad that some film's still attempt to be different.For more quick reviews check out www.FilmStallion.com

If I could cite only only reason to see this film it would be to see Creed Bratton do drama. Damn! His character is really interesting and pulls at your heart.But it is John C. Reilly that makes the movie work. This guy can simply be anybody. This time he is an insightful and empathetic associate principal at the title character's high school, Mr. Fitzgerald. To have been an adolescent boy with an adult friend as cool and compassionate and as vulnerable as Mr. Fitzgerald, would be a blessing. Having briefly work as a sub teacher and can assert that a teacher like him would be putting him self at great risk by removing the wall between himself and a student. They should though;at least the teachers who are there to help kids.I try to never discuss elements of the plot but let me say there is a female school mate of Terri's whose actions are very emblematic of the conflicting forces that a young girl might face. Surprising .. yet not I guess.

'TERRI': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five) Another teen misfit story, this one is about a heavyset fifteen year old having trouble fitting in at school who befriends his goofy principal. The kid, Terri, is played by Jacob Wysocki and the odd principal is played by John C. Reilly (who's perfectly cast). It was directed by Azazel Jacobs and written by Jacobs and Patrick Dewitt. The film is funny, relatable at times and strange. It's a little distant when it attempts to reach out to the viewer on an emotional level but for the most part it works.Terri is 15 years old, depressed and living with his Uncle James (Creed Bratton of 'THE OFFICE' fame), who has Alzheimer's disease, and takes care of him. He's constantly picked on at school for being overweight and has begun wearing pajamas to school. He's also began showing up late to school consistently and gotten in to trouble with his teachers. His principal, Mr. Fitzgerald, starts bringing him in to morning counseling sessions he has with misfits at school. Terri and his principal bond and a strong relationship begins to build.The movie does a good job of depicting high school life for outsiders and presents them in a relatable and kind way, causing any viewer with a heart to feel sorry for them, but beyond that it's kind of lacking much emotional depth. Terri is relatable but we never see him grow much or figure things out, other than his friendship with his principal. Reilly is great as the weird and lovable principal and Wysocki is adequate enough in the lead but beyond their friendship the movie doesn't really deliver much. There are some strange encounters (involving drugs, alcohol and some sexual activity) with another outcast at school (Bridger Zadina) and a female student (Olivia Crocicchia) who shows some interest in Terri but the movie doesn't do anything more with their characters. It works as a buddy film though and a high school misfit film, to a certain degree, it just seems like they could have further fleshed some good ideas out.Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rje99p8QSz8