Outside Providence

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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

Description

From the hit-making Farrelly Brothers -- the guys who brought you THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY -- OUTSIDE PROVIDENCE stars Alec Baldwin (THE EDGE, MERCURY RISING) in an outrageously funny story about a kid who's grown up with nothing but a broken home, a three-legged dog, and a full-blown attraction to trouble! Everything changes for Timothy Dunphy (Shawn Hatosy -- ANYWHERE BUT HERE, THE FACULTY), however, when he crashes into a parked police car ... prompting his loudmouthed old man (Baldwin) to ship him from their blue-collar town to a snobbish prep school! But even though he's out of place, outclassed, and seriously outnumbered, nothing could have prepared Tim's new classmates for him! Also featuring Amy Smart (VARSITY BLUES), George Wendt (TV's CHEERS), and a great soundtrack of '70s hits, this acclaimed hit brings you more of the sidesplitting laughs you expect from a Farrelly Brothers comedy!

Customer Reviews:

please re-release this!.......2007-03-20

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.

HOW MANY FRIENDS NAMED DRUGS DO YOU HAVE?.......2006-10-20

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.

Deja vue.......2006-08-15

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.

Underneath the movie's pot jokes lies a sweet thoughtfulness.......2006-06-28

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.

The Farrelly Brother's Best Movie!.......2006-04-30

Although very humorous, "Outside Providence" is a departure from other Farrely brothers movies like "Kingpin" and "There's Something About Mary." This is a more intelligent, less vulgar offering which still delivers the laughs.

Set in the 70's, the film is a moving coming of age tale about a middle class pothead shipped off to a prep school after a run-in with the law.

Predicable hijinks ensue as "Dumph" (played by Sean Hatosy) faces a difficult adjustment to his new world. The strength of the film is in the relationship between "Dumph" and his father (played by Alec Baldwin). Baldwin is totally convincing as "Old Man Dumphy", a gruff but caring father heartbroken by the loss of his wife.

If you grew up in the 70's, you'll probably enjoy this nostaglic look at teenage life set to a fantastic soundtrack of 70's hits.

Average customer rating:

please re-release this!
HOW MANY FRIENDS NAMED DRUGS DO YOU HAVE?
Deja vue
Underneath the movie's pot jokes lies a sweet thoughtfulness
The Farrelly Brother's Best Movie!

Outside Providence
Starring: Shawn Hatosy , Tommy Bone , Samantha Lavigne , Jonathan Brandis , and Adam LaVorgna
Director: Michael Corrente
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( O ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000065K4K

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Customer Reviews:

please re-release this!.......2007-03-20

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.

HOW MANY FRIENDS NAMED DRUGS DO YOU HAVE?.......2006-10-20

Deja vue.......2006-08-15

Underneath the movie's pot jokes lies a sweet thoughtfulness.......2006-06-28

The Farrelly Brother's Best Movie!.......2006-04-30

Charlie Rose with Alec Baldwin (August 23, 1999)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Alec Baldwin (August 23, 1999)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

A dialogue with the actor Alec Baldwin. He talks about actor Warren Beatty's possible presidential campaign, what he believes is necessary in order for a director to be successful, and love of acting. Later, Baldwin discusses his admiration of Marlon Brando's work and his performance in the movie Outside Providence, which is directed by Michael Corrente.

DVD:

DVD

DVD