OUTSIDE PROVIDENCE ***1/2 (out of five stars) A review by Jamey Hughton
Starring-Shawn Hatosy, Alec Baldwin, Amy Smart and George Wendt Director-Michael Corrente Rated 14A Miramax
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While exiting the theater after a recent showing of Outside Providence, I heard this remark from a fellow audience patron: `Well, it was no There's Something About Mary... but I liked it.' Of course it's no There's Something About Mary. Comparing this to Mary would be a mistake, because where that film is filled with outrageous sight gags and various bodily fluids, Outside Providence is sweet and genuinely funny. It may be co-written by the Farrelly brothers, but this is an earlier effort that reveals a softer side. At least, softer than their previous directorial efforts (also including the gross-out comedies Dumb and Dumber and Kingpin).
70's nostalgia seems to be popping up often at the cinema lately, with Dick and then Detroit Rock City appearing amongst the late summer movie crowd. This entry features Shawn Hatosy (who recently fought alien administrators in The Faculty) as Tim Dunphy, a trouble-making pot head from Rhode Island. Tim is always involved in wrong-doings with his friends (well, what does it tell you when his best chum is named Drugs Delaney??). On this occasion, he runs into a parked police car, most likely due to his impaired vision from a vehicle full of billowing smoke. His father (Alec Baldwin) finally draws the line, and sends him to a prep school named Cornwall Academy. This is the type of place that forbids everything that Tim usually takes part in, namely smoking and drinking.
Outside Providence is the kind of movie that, while not achieving anything groundbreaking, has you leaving the theater with a smile plastered across your face. The main protagonist is easily likable, and the material is reasonably well-written. Those expecting another `outrageous' comedy in the tradition of Mary should perhaps tread elsewhere - the down-to-earth realism in this film may leave them slightly disappointed. But, that's not to say Outside Providence isn't funny. There are some great comic moments, captured perfectly in time by director Michael Corrente (American Buffalo) and the Farrelly's nicely paced screenplay.
The performances are also impressive. Hatosy doesn't have to work hard to achieve a certain charm, and Alec Baldwin is wonderful. Playing a poker-faced widower who sits around in his underwear eating ice cream, Baldwin is delightfully convincing, and without putting an unnecessary spin on his character. He plays it straight, fitting the character requirements nicely (he's also got an interesting nickname for his son...). As his poker buddy, Cheers veteran George Wendt is solid, and Amy Smart displays all the charisma and vibrance needed for an adequate romantic interest.
There is some moralizing going on beneath it's core, but the film handles everything surprisingly naturally. Certain important issues are dealt with, including (but not limited to) the loss of Tim's mother and a member of the poker group coming out of the closet. There is also plenty of drug use going on, so much, that it almost drains the film's real purpose. There is nothing special about Outside Providence, which is what could be described as a change of pace `coming-of-age' story from the notorious brothers' Farrelly (aka Bobby and Peter). But the film is entirely enjoyable, and fully equipped with a toe-tappin' 70's soundtrack that aids the atmosphere nicely.
And those yearning for more classic Farrelly moments (like the widely popular `hair gel' sequence) still will have a few brief seconds of redemption. But those most likely to enjoy Outside Providence should be expecting an honest, well-acted dramedy - a movie with real characters instead of cardboard cut-outs designed to draw laughs. Yes, it's no There's Something About Mary. But it remains good-natured fun in it's own right.
(C) 1999, Jamey Hughton
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