Customer Reviews

Inside Moves

5 star:		(64)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Note: This review was written quite a while ago. At that time, it was almost impossible to see this film. Fortunately, a DVD version is now available. So I have revised the otiginal review accordingly.

To say it this is a "small" film in no way questions its several achievements. The screenplay (co-authored by Valerie Curtin and Barry Levinson), direction (Richard Donner), acting, and cinematography (Laszlo Kovacs) are outstanding. Inside Moves is based on Todd Walton`s novel and focuses on Max's Bar in Oakland; more specifically, on those who work there and its regular customers. All of them are emotionally and/or physically handicapped and yet, once gathered together -- in what is in many ways a sanctuary for them -- they generously provide comfort and support to each other. It is also worth noting that the regulars have zero-tolerance of self-pity, theirs or anyone else's.

After a failed suicide attempt which has left him permanently crippled, Roary (John Savage) joins the group with apprehensions. Over time, he begins to work at the bar and later becomes its owner. He and Louise (a waitress portrayed brilliantly by Diana Scarwid) have a mutual attraction which eventually overcomes their self-doubts as well as their fear of being hurt again. The bartender, Jerry Maxwell (David Morse), was once a basketball prodigy but is now a cripple also, unable to afford the cost of corrective surgery. He is involved with a juvenile drug addict named Ann (Amy Wright) who supports her addiction with money earned as a prostitute. Although my remarks thus far may suggest that this is a "dark" film, it really isn't. "Touching," "intimate," and "moving" (no pun intended) more accurately describe its impact, at least on me.

Oh sure, it has some corny moments. I also agree with others who question the plausibility of Jerry's transition from limping bartender to making the squad of the Golden State Warriors. (I could also do without the subplot which involves him, Ann, and her pimp.) That said, I still think this is a fine film. Credit Donner with assembling a strong supporting cast (notably Harold Russell. Bill Henderson, and Harold Sylvester) and then carefully integrating their performances with those of Savage, Morse, and Scarwid. The musical score is appropriately, indeed cleverly coordinated with the plot's development. I also appreciate the selective use of humor within a culture which might otherwise seem hopelessly dysfunctional. Affection and respect between and among the characters are genuine. Granted, the film's "happy ending" is predictable. Given what all of the lead characters have endured prior to it, however, who can deny them the smiles on their faces? Not I.

I discovered this film while reading the obituary last year for Harold Russell, one of the stars of the film. It was only his second film- even though his first, The Best Years of Our Lives from 1946, won him a still unbeaten 2 Oscars for the same role. He had lost none of his talent during those nearly 40 years. He is memorable as an incredible actor who happens to have lost both of his hands in an accident as a serviceman in WWII. David Morse will also look familiar. He has hardly changed since then and now stars in a new television show called Hack on CBS. He also recently appeared in Hearts In Atlantis. John Savage delivers a perfomance that is Oscar worthy in the lead role.

One reviewer on Amazon[.com] said it best in describing this as a winner about losers. But after seeing it you will have too much of a soft spot for the characters to really refer to them that way. It follows a man played by Savage who after a failed suicide attempt is accepted into a small group of disabled buddies who hang out and play cards all day at a local dive. Morse plays the bartender who is really a part of the club and fits in well with his bad leg that he cannot afford to have fixed given the cost of the needed surgery. While he's not tending bar he limps over to watch the Golden State Warriors religiously. He watches every game, every practice and offers his cheers and critiques loudly. It is the critiqueing though that gets one of the players so irritated that he walks over to him and tells him that the team appreciates his support but that when they are not playing well his criticsm is too painful. This leads to a challenge of one on one in which the crippled bartender shocks everyone with his performance, especially the NBA star who then lends him the money for the surgery once it becomes clear that this guy could be his teammate with two good legs.

What happens following surgery to his relationship with his disabled pals once he is no longer disabled himself becomes the focus of the film. This is an emotional powerhouse that is so great that I could watch again and again in spite of the intensity. I highly reccomend this film and will buy it again on DVD as soon as it's available.

I keep checking every few weeks or so to see if this movie is scheduled for release on DVD. Inside Moves has always been one of my favorite films and I highly recommend it. When this movie was first on cable, I watched it over and over again. I still remember the first time I saw it. I remember how the start of the movie shocked me, but then the movie became something I didn't expect. And it was a pleasant surprise. Inside Moves is an all-around feel good movie. It inspires. It teaches. I continue to hope for a DVD release.

RORY!!! JERRY!!!

As with all of the reviewers, it is discouraging that one of the best movies I have ever seen has yet to be formatted on a DVD. The cast, the story, and the music have stayed with me ever since I first saw it on cable in the 1980s. For some reason it seldom is shown on TV and I can not understand the reason for its exclusion. Maybe everybody wants to feel depressed so TV puts on Mystic River and others of its genre.
To the studios there are a lot of people out there that want to see this great movie on DVD.

Note: I reviewed this film about five years ago. At that time, it was almost impossible to see Inside Moves. Fortunately, a DVD version is now available. So I have revised the original review accordingly.

To say it this is a "small" film in no way questions its several achievements. The screenplay (co-authored by Valerie Curtin and Barry Levinson), direction (Richard Donner), acting, and cinematography (Laszlo Kovacs) are outstanding. Inside Moves is based on Todd Walton`s novel and focuses on Max's Bar in Oakland; more specifically, on those who work there and its regular customers. All of them are emotionally and/or physically handicapped and yet, once gathered together -- in what is in many ways a sanctuary for them -- they generously provide comfort and support to each other. It is also worth noting that the regulars have zero-tolerance of self-pity, theirs or anyone else's.

After a failed suicide attempt which has left him permanently crippled, Roary (John Savage) joins the group with apprehensions. Over time, he begins to work at the bar and later becomes its owner. He and Louise (a waitress portrayed brilliantly by Diana Scarwid) have a mutual attraction which eventually overcomes their self-doubts as well as their fear of being hurt again. The bartender, Jerry Maxwell (David Morse), was once a basketball prodigy but is now a cripple also, unable to afford the cost of corrective surgery. He is involved with a juvenile drug addict named Ann (Amy Wright) who supports her addiction with money earned as a prostitute. Although my remarks thus far may suggest that this is a "dark" film, it really isn't. "Touching," "intimate," and "moving" (no pun intended) more accurately describe its impact, at least on me.

Oh sure, it has some corny moments. I agree with others who question the plausibility of Jerry's transition from limping bartender to making the squad of the Golden State Warriors. (I could also do without the subplot which involves him, Ann, and her pimp.) That said, I still think this is a fine film. Credit Donner with assembling a strong supporting cast (notably Harold Russell. Bill Henderson, and Harold Sylvester) and then carefully integrating their performances with those of Savage, Morse, and Scarwid. The musical score is appropriately, indeed cleverly coordinated with the plot's development. I also appreciate the selective use of humor within a culture which might otherwise seem hopelessly dysfunctional. Affection and respect between and among the characters are genuine. Granted, the film's "happy ending" is predictable. Given what all of the lead characters have endured prior to it, however, who can deny them the smiles on their faces? Not I.

I have gotten a chance to talk to Todd Walton who wrote the novel the movie was based on and a gentleman involved in getting this film on DVD.

Todd was interviewed for the DVD supplements, no deleted scenes or outtakes were found, which is no surprise considering the age of the film. Richard Donner did record a commentary for the film, the extra features will basically revolve around how the film came to be from novel to screen.

The original plan was to do a bare bones disc with a VHS transfer. Thank god that plan was nixed and an original 35 MM print was found in England, it was cleaned up and we are going to get the best transfer possible. Copyright issues have been up in the air for many, many years which is the reason why it took so long for it to finally come out. Goes without saying that it's ABOUT DARN TIME!

I saw this film late one night in the Uk alot of years ago. Got home from pub and there it was in front of me. It kept me glued to the box for the duration and loved it. Next few years it was kind of forgotten about even though i had given it a high mark out of ten to the extent it was In my top ten films. Years later the title had been forgotten and this was until i saw a vinyl soundtrack for it . Wow there was the name. Now there i was recently and i saw the album again in the attic..........and these days we have the internet to look the title up. Forgive my ramblings but it best describes my thoughts on this film, and my respect for so long of a piece of work i am very fond of. Cannot wait to see it again.

My wife and I first saw this film, shot in Oakland, 24 years ago and only recently found it in an obscure video store. [What gives?! It should be given a little PR and re-released on DVD.] It is intimate and honest, and IS one of the best movie experiences! Its story and its rendering will continue to hold up over time because of the beautiful, humorous, truthful writing and direction given to its VERY real characters and situations. John Savage is outstanding, but so is David Morse, Amy Wright and Diane Scarwid (be still my heart!)--as well as the most endearing cast of bar owners and barflies anyone could hope to hang out with at their local watering hole! Forget the farce of Cheers! This is about love, finding one's self, and the meaning of friendships. [It's also sort of a "Hoop Dreams" of the 80s.] But beware--this is a rare, unbelievably underrated story about the "human condition" that will make you FEEL!
JERREE!

This is truly one of those stories that stays with you. I can't count how many times over the past twenty-two years I have thought of it. The characters are so well drawn and the movie is critically very, very good. I have seen so many movies over the years but this remains an old friend. I'm so glad it is finally available.

Everything above written about this movie is spot on. I own it on VHS and Laser Disc and would LOVE to own it on DVD. With all the dregs that have been reissued on DVD (the list is endless as you well know) why on earth hasn't someone seen fit to reissue "Inside Moves" in that medium. Come on Hollywood, wake up.