Outside Providence (1999)

Outside Providence was written by the Farrelly Brothers, known for the outrageous comedies Dumb and Dumber, Kingpin, and There's Something About Mary. On the surface, Outside Providence seems to be of the same ilk--there's a three-legged, one-eyed dog, physical humor with a kid in a wheelchair, and a character nicknamed Jiz, among other things. But despite all that, the movie is an almost-gentle coming-of-age comedy, something like a suburban New England Amarcord with a lot of unrepentant drug humor. The plot doesn't sound promising: pothead Tim Dunphy (Shawn Hatosy) gets sent to prep school by his father (Alec Baldwin), who wants to keep him out of trouble. But a fair amount of smoking and boozing goes on at that school, too, despite the watchful eye of the administrators. Dunphy also falls for Jane (Amy Smart), a richer and smarter girl whom he wins over. All this could just as easily be the plot of some mediocre Porky's rip-off, but the Farrelly Brothers' script has the grit of real experience, while the direction (by Michael Corrente) and acting carefully avoid smirks and easy gags; the movie is funnier for it. Baldwin initially seems miscast, but over the course of the film delivers a solid performance; Hatosy and Smart are sincere and unaffected. The result is a low-key, modest, but genuinely affecting movie about surmounting class differences and coping with loss--that also has a lot of jokes that push the boundaries of political correctness. Quite a balancing act. --Bret Fetzer Amazon.com

Superior Coming of Age Flick

For gosh sakes, why is this out of print? This is one of the better coming of age films I have ever seen -- sweet, funny, poignant, with a bravura performance from Alec Baldwin as the damaged, working class Dad. Great soundtrack, as the film is set in the mid-70s, and some classic prep school fish-out-of-water scenes. And of course the head disciplinarian is a classic. Look also for a young Amy Smart as the lady of the young man's dreams, and you pretty much have a fine film that is begging to be re-released immediately. August 11, 2008

please re-release this!

I have this movie, and think it should be worthy of a re-release. Being OOP makes it a contender for a reissue. Don't even know why it's OOP to begin with. March 20, 2007

HOW MANY FRIENDS NAMED DRUGS DO YOU HAVE?

Out of all the movies put out by the Farrelly Brothers, I would have to believe that this was the most inspired. Based on a book that was written by one of them, and based on their childhood experiences.. I think that this was less of a "gross-out" comedy, and more of a down-home, touch your heart sort of experience.
"My fathers name for me was Dildo."
This movie, for one thing, established Alec Baldwin, in my head as a great comedic and character actor. His role as the single father, raising two children (both mad pot head deliquents) always makes me laugh. The view of Providence, RI circa the 1970's is great, and full of awesome rock and roll.
This movie has plenty of hillarious moments, but also has a few good moments that may just learn ya a thing or two...
for instance... you should always savor a good woman, the way you would savor a good smoke... and that masturbation is nothing to be ashamed of. And also a great lesson on how to balance keeping your idiot friends and keeping your responsibilities in order. Anyway, great cast all around, good story, lotta fun... I own a copy and I watch it a lot. Five star film. October 20, 2006

Deja vue

The best part of this movie for me was the dialog between Dumph (Shaun Hatosy) and his dad (Alec Baldwin) it reminds me of my relationship with my dad during my teenage days. I found Baldwins performance to be among his best. This was my first Hatosy film he was very good. The rest of the cast was superior and so was their performance. You even get to see Jonathan Brandis for about five minutes as Mousey a drugged out teen he pulled it off as alwayse, I wish he had been in it more. There is a lot of drug related humor that I normaly do not like but this was done well and it fit in. This movie is funny with morals and messages but they are not over bearing. If you grew up in the seventys you will enjoy this movie. The NewEngland scenary is a nice touch so is the sound trac. I would not reccomend this for younger kids due to some sexual refrences but other than that it is fine for all. August 15, 2006

Underneath the movie's pot jokes lies a sweet thoughtfulness

In 1974, pot-smoking teenager Tim Dunphy (Dunph, to his friends) is sent to a superior prep school after getting in trouble with the law for a reefer-induced mishap. There, he tangles with strict administrators, suffers the classrooms of exacting instructors, and hangs out with fellow pothead students. He also encounters Jane Weston, hands down the coolest chick in school and from an upper class family. Jane is beautiful but studious; she's trying to get accepted to Brown University. Dunph is just trying to get by without accruing any more punishment for violation of school policies. Regarding Jane, his friend advises Dunph: "Forget it." Yet, somehow, Dunph and Jane get together. It's not a match made in heaven, but hey, Dunph will take it...

Supposedly based on Peter Farrelly's school experiences at Kent, Outside Providence is a very good coming-of-age movie. It was touted as a comedy but, really, while it has its share of laugh-out-loud funnies, its dramatic undercurrent is the engine that drives it home beautifully. It reminds me of those 1980s John Hughes dramedies (Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful). Yes, this movie is liberally dosed with pot jokes, but a sense of realness and pathos felt throughout provides a nice counterbalance. From a raucous Farrelly Brothers-type comedy to an ultimately thoughtful film. Very nice.

The only other time I've seen Shawn Hatosy was in the cool horror The Faculty; to be honest, in that film, he didn't make much of an impression on me. But, here, he takes center stage and does a real good job in portraying easy-going, pot-smoking Dunph, who initially is aimless and just drifting along but then undergoes life lessons and steps up to responsibility. Amy Smart's Jane is a major impetus in Dunph's maturation process. Amy plays her character as a young woman who's smart and hardworking - but not afraid to let her hair down - and, most importantly, she is genuine; those qualities, more often than not, are enough to positively influence a guy. The supporting cast, from Pawtucket, Rhode Island to Cornwall, Connecticut, does a credible job evoking the '70s, ably backed by the great soundtrack. Alec Baldwin is remarkably good in playing Dunph's gruff, hard-bitten father, with surprising hidden depths. On the other hand, Timothy Crowe as Mr. Funderberk seems to be channeling Jeffrey Jones's Principal Ed Rooney (Ferris Bueller's Day Off).

I knew this movie was gonna make me smile and laugh; I was surprised when it made me feel. Outside Providence is very recommended.
June 28, 2006

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