Rating: 
Summary: SEE THIS MOVIE-IT WILL SURPRISE YOU!
Review: Tender, funny, real comedy/drama from the Farrelly Brothers. A surprise for nonfans of the brothers and another great movie from the masters of comedy writing. Great script from a very good book from Peter Farrelly. Michael Corrente's direction is solid. Great performances by Alec Baldwin and Amy Smart. Best acting though is by newcomer Mike Cerrone who plays cardplayer Cavveech. He steals the scenes he's in (playing cards) and has the funniest lines in the movie. He belongs in the cast of The Sopranos. Also excellent is Sean Gildea (a staple in Farrelly films)as the trendy teacher. Everyone I know has enjoyed this movie. That is what the Farrelly's know how to do. Write a funny, down to earth, memorable and most of all, enjoyable movie.
Rating: 
Summary: A Toned-Down Offering From the Farrelly Brothers
Review: The ambiguity of youth and the road to maturity are addressed in a somewhat stoically humorous manner by the Farrelly Brothers in the comedy, "Outside Providence," directed by Michael Corrente. Set in New England in 1974, the story centers on Tim Dunphy (Shawn Hatosy), an irresponsible seventeen-year-old who since the untimely death of his mother has lived with his gruff, blue-collar father (Alec Baldwin), his crippled younger brother, Jackie (Tommy Bone) and a one-eyed, three-legged dog. Life is less than idyllic for Tim, but it doesn't seem to make much difference as long as he can live in the moment and get high with his friends. In that respect, in fact, life is pretty good. Tim's a senior in high school with nary a care in the world, until a car accident involving drugs and alcohol lands him in big trouble, and he avoids incarceration only by the grace and intervention of one of his father's "connected" cronies. Instead of jail time he is sent away to the prestigious prep school, Cornhill, whereupon graduation his offense will be expunged from his record. All he has to do is toe the line and get through his senior year. But that senior year can last a long time, especially after he meets Jane Weston (Amy Smart), the girl of his (and everybody else's) dreams. So what is a lad to do, knuckle down, follow the rules and put his life in order-- or follow his heart? Or, as Tim replies when a teacher asks him to name his favorite author, "Hamlet." To be, or not to be. And that is the question. While not terribly original by any means, Corrente's film (which he co-wrote with Bobby and Peter Farrelly, adapted from the novel by Peter Farrelly) is funny and well presented, and has that quirky, recognizable Farrelly Brother's touch. There's even a poignant moment or two, and most importantly, this isn't a "silly" movie, and though the characters are fairly stereotypical, Corrente manages to give it something of a fresh face and allows the humor to evolve naturally, never fishing for laughs or manipulating the situations purely for the sake of hilarity. And it works well; there are some genuinely funny scenes, some side-splitting lines and one signature Farrelly Brothers scene that involves a flashback of the traumatic "hazing" of a freshman named Irving (Jack Ferver). Shawn Hatosy gives a believable performance as Tim, and though he's not overly charismatic or likable, he does create a character with whom many peers and parents will be able to relate. Tim is a very real person feeling his way through a very precarious period of his life. And beyond the humorous aspects of the film, there is actually some very credible character development evident in Tim's behavior, and in the final analysis the overall picture not only aspires to a higher level because of it, but succeeds in that regard. Hatosy's Tim is very much the average kid who lives in your neighborhood and works at the local fast food joint while he figuring out what life is all about. Without anything singular or remarkable about him, he is entirely true-to-life and honest. As "Old Man Dunphy," Baldwin gives a solid performance, and with limited screen time manages to establish his character with astute precision. Like Tim, Baldwin's character is real, and serves as a kind of core for the story, and that realism of the characters is one of the strengths of the film. The "Old Man" maintains a gruff exterior-- a bravura by which to live, if you will-- but you get a sense that there is something deeper to him, while at the same time you realize that what you see is very much a true perspective of who he really is as well. It's a matter of Baldwin's ability as an actor enabling him to infuse some complexity into a character that could easily have been one dimensional in less capable hands. The supporting cast includes Jon Abrahams (Drugs Delaney), Richard Jenkins (Barney), George Wendt (Joey), Adam LaVorgna (Tommy the Wire), Timothy Crowe (Mr. Funderbeck), George Martin (Dean Mort), Gabriel Mann (Jack) and Kristen Shorten (Bunny Cote). In a market veritably saturated for some time with comedies about teen angst (most of which are silly, insignificant, devoid of real humor and not worth the film they're printed on), with "Outside Providence," Corrente and the Farrelly Brothers have to be given credit for delivering one that is truly funny while at the same time anchored in reality. There is, in fact, more here than meets the eye upon the initial viewing. Not only does it capture the essence of the era in which it takes place, but a sense of reality that in the end is definitive of it, as well. And it's done with humor, and without taking it over the edge, as the Farrelly Brothers are often wont to do. Ultimately, it's a satisfying experience, and it's the magic of the movies.
Rating:
Summary: cliched but likeable coming-of-age tale
Review: The Farrelly brothers (the makers of such laugh-a-minute gross out fests as "There's Something About Mary," "Kingpin" and "Dumb and Dumber," among others) take a decided stylistic turn with "Outside Providence," a low-keyed, laid back coming-of-age tale set in Rhode Island during the mid 1970's. Shawn Hatosy stars as Timothy Dunphy, a likable, not-very-bright high school student who, like many of his generation, would much rather party than study and would rather smoke-out than think seriously about his future plans for college or career or even life in general. When he crashes his vehicle, packed with other drinking and pot-smoking teenagers, right smack into the rear of a parked police car, Tim is sent by his working class father to finish his last school year at a nearby prep academy. Alec Baldwin, adopting a dese-dem-dose accent for the occasion, plays Tim's father, a well-intentioned widower whose brusque demeanor hides a filial love that Tim is only vaguely aware exists. "Outside Providence" certainly does not bring a whole lot of fresh insights to this well-worn territory. We have the obligatory scenes of non-stop pot smoking (this being a depiction of 1970's adolescence after all), the inevitable first love between the hero and the sweetest, most understanding and, of course, most beautiful girl from the local distaff school, and the predictable confrontations that develop between the freethinking teen and the anachronistic stuffed shirts of the school's administration. There is also, of course, the mandatory death of one of the members of the original gang to act as a device to sober the boy's up to an awakened awareness of the seriousness and responsibilities of adulthood. Yet, for all of its adherence to the formula of this particular genre, "Outside Providence" wins the audience over, partly through the breezy likeability of the actors and performers, partly through the unforced realism of the screenplay, and partly through the film's dead-on accurate recreation of a decade that is fast becoming the era of choice for modern day nostalgia. Like so many films that tie themselves strongly to a time long past, "Outside Providence" relies (and perhaps even over relies) on a soundtrack filled with memory-inducing tunes of the period. This is the easiest trick in the book for filmmakers to stir an audience's fond recollections - but, damned if it doesn't work every time. In addition, the film is set within the beautiful environs of autumnal New England, a factor that contributes to the overall laid-back charm of the film. "Outside Providence" provides a relaxing, unfrenetic trip down memory lane for those of us who happen to have come of age in the era the Farrellys are presenting. The film ultimately doesn't amount to much, but one could find worse ways to spend 90 minutes - and a worse group of people with which to spend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Unforgetable as a slaker.
Review: The simple plot of this film is about Tim, a high school student from Rhode Island, in the 1970's that is not clear about his goals. The most notable of this film is Alec Baldwin in a mediocre acting role of an "overprotective" father. The plot is confused and not adjusted to a logical exposition of the main theme, a not adapted student, is not reach. Basically, this film has no drive, and does not bring a sequence of rational situations in a credible exposition.
Rating:
Summary: Routine Coming of Age Tale
Review: This is a mildly engaging but ultimately humdrum coming-of-age film about a slacker/doper (Shawn Hatosey) whose father(Alec Baldwin) ships him off to a prep school after he and his buddies crash the car into a police car while stoned. The scenes at school are pretty mundane and the uptight school administrators are cliched. The young actors (Hatosey, Amy Smart, et al) don't exactly distinguish themselves. What elevates this film is the all too intermittent appearances of Baldwin as the gruffly profane father. The film has a good rock soundtrack but the selections seem to be random and do nothing to enhance the scenes they've been chosen for. The script was written by the Farrelly brothers along with director Michael Corrente. Maybe the film would have been better if the Farrellys had taken the director's reigns themselves.
Rating:
Summary: No one can deny the Farelly Brothers!
Review: This is another great one in the legacy that is the Farelly Brothers movies. Alec Baldwin is hilarious and plays a perfect part! Amy Smart...oahhhhh...Amy. It's smart, it's funny. The dialogue cracks me up every time I watch it.
Rating:
Summary: Must Have movie
Review: This is definitely one of my favorite movies (Caddyshack being the ultimate favorite). I originally watched it only because I went to school in Providence. After watching it a few times, you will find yourself blurting out quotes that make your friends crack up (if they saw the movie). If you like Caddyshack, Dumb and Dumber, Dazed and Confused or similar movies, this is a must have.
Rating:
Summary: Scratch this one off your list
Review: This is one of those movies that starts really dull, but unlike most other movies, it never gets interesting. Well, maybe I wasn't in the right mode for this movie, and I know other people really liked this movie for some reason. However, for what it's worth, my opinion is that this is the most boring movie I've seen in the last year. 1 or 2 hours of cleaning your house would no doubt be a more enjoyable time.
Rating:
Summary: Want to roll on the floor with laughter? Try this movie.
Review: This is such a refreshing blend of actor talent and writer genius! I have never laughed so hard in all my life! This flick about a reformed Long Island bad boy has a cast of favorites: Alec Baldwin, George Wendt, Jonathan Brandis, Amy Smart, and others. Just a hint, the scene where the school administrator is reading Dumphey the letter from "Drugs" will leave you incontinent in your chair! And the features on the dvd were hilarious! However, I'm glad the directors went with the ending that's in place now, rather than the alternate ending. Anyhoo, enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Charming but insubstantial
Review: This mid 70's slice of life comedy is charming in spots, but mostly insubstantial. It is the story of a working class teenager from Rhode Island named Timothy Dunphy (Shawn Hatosy) who is sent to prep school for getting into trouble with the police. The story meanders through his exploits with his friends at home, his relationship with his father (Alec Baldwin), and his situations with his new preppy friends and with the evil headmaster. The film has its moments, but mostly it is a nostalgic retrospective on prep life in the 1970's with little in the way of a plot. Having gone to college in Rhode Island in the 1970's, I can identify with the period, and Rhode Islande born director Michael Corrente, through the look and feel of the New England settings and the background music, did a good job of bringing back a flood of memories from that time. Shawn Hatosy did an excellent job in his portrayal of a working class teen, trying to make the best of what he considered a bad situation. His acting, though not yet very polished, is very sincere and this part seemed to fit his personality well. Amy Smart, as his girlfriend Jane, is a fresh face with a sweet look; just perfect for the nice girl role. Smart also exuded sincerity so the screen chemistry between the two was excellent. Alec Baldwin finally found a role where his new paunchy look was an asset. Actually, he was quite good as Timothy's rather crude dad, doing the best he could with limited intellectual assets. Baldwin, who usually plays clever characters, gave a realistic and enjoyable performance of a working class stiff, though his accent was a little too stereotypical and not true to Rhode Island. I gave this film a 6/10. It relied too heavily on New England charm and there was just not enough story. Though there were funny scenes sprinkled here and there and the ending was nice, it just lacked the horsepower to really keep the viewer engaged throughout.
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