On the Inside Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

On the Inside Blu-ray Movie Review

Better than it looks.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman July 24, 2012

On the Inside tells a surprisingly genuine story of wrongs and redemption, of full-circle fate, of the best emerging from the worst. It's a movie that doesn't break new ground but that treads well-beaten paths with surprising efficiency and depth. Indeed, the plot lacks novelty, but the picture shines through a good script that finds real characters behind generic façades. Additionally, it's made even better thanks to several fine performances and a sense of realism that effortlessly brings the audience both into the prison world and the very essences of the lead characters whose paths will converge and fates will entwine by film's end. It may not sound like much, or much of anything new, but while On the Inside isn't quite the sort of movie that will leave audiences dazzled, it's worth seeing and rewarding the filmmakers for piecing together a very well-crafted, thoughtful, detailed, and engrossing little movie that's far better than much of the more mainstream dreck that passes for entertainment these days.

Thinking about past, present, and future.

Allen Meneric (Nick Stahl, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines) has taken revenge on the man he believes raped his girlfriend, killing him in cold blood. Unfortunately, Allen got the wrong man, an employee of the actual perpetrator and not the rapist himself. Allen's sentenced to serve time at the Northwood State Secure Treatment Facility, home to the criminally insane. Allen's not the typical inmate. He's not crazy, but the murder and a traumatic childhood has led him on the first step towards both redemption and destiny. On the inside, he meets the kindly Ben Marshall (Pruitt Taylor Vince) who has much to hide behind the teddy bear façade. He also comes into contact with the vicious and disturbed Carl Tarses (Dash Mihok) who draws closer to Allen than he would like.

Finally, Allen is granted a hearing and is subsequently transferred to a minimum security facility where his freedoms are increased, the tensions are lowered, and the intermixing of the sexes is permitted. There, Allen meets Mia Conlon (Olivia Wilde, Tron: Legacy), a woman suffering from bipolar disease and on the inside following her role in the deaths of others. The two strike up a cordial relationship with the potential for something more. Though struggling to come to terms with their lives -- past, present, and future -- the relationship blossoms and they are even granted time together, alone. But a tragedy back at the secure facility could jeopardize everything Allen and Mia have built, though it may at the same time prove to be the final step towards Allen's destiny.

If looks can be deceiving, On the Inside is a master of deception. What appears to be a routine prison flick proves not anything but, but rather a routine prison movie with superior characters and a surprisingly nuanced plot that elevate it above typical genre pictures that deal more with life on the inside as it alters one on the outside, not as it reshapes characters from within or, as the case may be here, sets them on track towards something beyond anything they could ever imagine. From the outset, the picture proves superior, effortlessly drawing audiences into its chilling, lifeless world of prison for the mentally unbalanced, a world in which Allen may not belong but if forced to inhabit. As the picture tells his story, it shapes his character, setting up a difficult final act in which he'll be forced to confront his past if he is to redeem himself in the present. Themes of fate and fulfillment take shape as the simple story plays to conclusion, as the full-circle completeness of Allen's life defines the film.

Allen's character proves somewhat fascinating, simply constructed but surprisingly well developed nonetheless. The script gives him shape, but is defined by Nick Stahl's stellar effort. Stahl remains one of the more under-appreciated actors working today; like he accomplished in Dead Awake, he elevates a nicely-crafted character into a finely-honed individual whose life story may be defined by flashbacks but exists in the here-and-now as a genuine flesh-and-blood being whom the audience will come to intimately know, despite his sins or path in life that have tragically led him to where he is and what fate has planned for him. Stahl seems to possess an uncanny ability to shape characters well beyond the limitations of the page or the writers' imagination. He exudes a subtle sense of destiny, even when the film seems to only be working through the motions and uncertain of where it's headed. Stahl is certainly the stabilizing force, though surrounded by several quality efforts, notably from Olivia Wilde and Pruitt Taylor Vince who each turn in very well balanced and natural supporting performance in key roles.

On the Inside Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

On the Inside arrives on Blu-ray with a good, fairly gritty, and deliberately worn-down 1080p transfer. Colors lack vibrancy, particularly in the early stages within the higher security facility. There's an overwhelming drabness, shaped by shades of gray that define the location perfectly. The minimum security prison sees a bit more in the way of brilliant, balanced colors, such as a plush off-white sofa and blue clothes. Black levels fare well, and flesh tones seem balanced within surrounding color parameters. Fine details impresses throughout. The image is supported by a layer of film grain, which accentuates excellent facial textures, crisply-pressed guard uniforms, and the grungy surfaces seen throughout the prison. A few shots go slightly fuzzy and soft, but generally this is a sharp, accurate transfer. No major signs of banding, blockiness, or other eyesores are present. This is another high quality image from Anchor Bay.

On the Inside Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

On the Inside features a very high quality Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. There's not much in terms of high energy sound effects, but the track largely satisfies when it comes to delivering precise ambience. Indeed, the various scenes inside the high security area impress. The everyday din of the working prison yields some superb effects that scatter all over the soundstage to truly immerse the listener into the environment. Alarms and buzzes, heavy sliding doors, and general chatter nicely replicate the inside. In the courtyard area, chirping birds and a steady breeze effortlessly penetrate the listening area. Music plays smoothly and with fine clarity and good front-side spacing. The surrounds chip in to carry a supporting musical element. Dialogue is smooth and effortless, flowing from the center channel with no loss in clarity. This is a precise, very well-engineered track that should please most all audiences.

On the Inside Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

All that's included with this Blu-ray release of On the Inside is an audio commentary track with Writer/Director D.W. Brown and Actors Joanne Baron and Daniel Franzese.

On the Inside Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

On the Inside surprises with every new scene, each character's depth, and the way a relatively simple plot proves so compelling. The movie flows at a deliberate pace but energizes its audience from the inside out, not from the outside in. It's a movie that settles into the audience rather forces its way into the theater through loud noises and flashy visuals. It's wonderfully acted to the point that it becomes clear that the actors have taken an already good script and elevated it dramatically. It's not a always an easy watch -- it can be as brutal and gut-wrenching as it can be tender and a simple character study -- but it's a rewarding experience altogether. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of On the Inside features good video, great audio, and a commentary track. Recommended.