Now available on VOD.
[Rating: Swiss Fist]
The world we’re currently living in for the past year, has become a world of staying indoors and avoiding people for our health. Every introvert dream. But what happens when life will go back to “normal” and we cannot stay beyond the comfort of our own homes? Will we have to interact with strangers again? The thoughts baffle me, local introvert.
The Outside Story (directed by Casimir Nozkowski) answers these questions. When he locks himself out of his apartment, introvert Charles Young (Brian Tyree Henry) must wait out the day inside, outside, nextdoor and around the corner as he experiences the various inhabitants of his own neighborhood that he has so long avoided. Instead of calling a locksmith or getting help from a police officer patrolling the area, Officer Slater (Sunita Mani), Charles waits with his young upstairs neighbor Elena (Olivia Edward) and elderly neighbor (Lynda Gravatt). As the day goes, he finally opens up to those around him and questions how his past relationship has fallen apart and possibly, with his new found experience outside, how he can win back his girlfriend (Sonequa Martin-Green).
The Outside Story seems like a pointless film. Locking yourself out of your apartment could easily be fixed by a locksmith instead of waiting all day. The movie wants Charles to grow up, but he does so in the most boring way possible. There’s nothing very interesting about his character growth, except now, if he needs help he has neighbors he can finally turn to. As a black man, I hated seeing the abuse he faced with Office Slater who then uses him to get a free meal and turns her back on him the second he refuses her advances. Do NOT get me started on a scene that appears out of nowhere involving two cops, Charles and mistaken identity. There is too much police brutality in this country for it to suddenly appear in what is supposed to be a lighthearted film.
This movie was fine at best. The plot is a bit ridiculous and unconvincing, and the overall theme of finding yourself outside is the most random thought. It also does not help that it doesn’t seem too hard to maybe break down a door in this building. After all, if Charles breaks his door, he’ll always be around to make sure nobody breaks in. I would not be surprised if he continues to stay in his own introverted lifestyle after this movie ends.
Christian Ramos is a classic film fan, having had the dream to host Turner Classic Movies for years now. He also has a large amount of Oscar trivia in his head, remembers dressing as Groucho Marx one Halloween, and cherishes the moment Julianne Moore liked his tweet.
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