SOMEBODY TO LOVE // A FILM REVIEW OF "THE OUTSIDE STORY"
The charm of the streets of New York City has been seen countless times throughout the history of cinema. So much that even if you don't live there as I do, you get to know the streets and corners like you did. The new warm and infectious comedy THE OUTSIDE STORY showcases the charm and romance of the city yet again and this time does it casts a large portion of its main ensemble, including its leading man, with people of color. And since this city is literally a melting pot of people, that is a welcome sight indeed. Brian Tyree Henry takes on the lead role of Charles Young, our eye into the story. He's a documentary filmmaker that, even though he lives in a city as exciting as New York, is a bit of a recluse and rarely ventures outside of his four walls.
Contending with that is the sting from his recent breakup with his girlfriend Isha (Sonequa Martin-Green). Unable to focus on work or able to process this loss yet, he sits and sits, almost waiting for an answer to come to him. The adventure of the story comes when he goes to pay a delivery driver (Jordan Carlos) for his food. He realizes that he doesn't have a tip for him because he miscounted the cash. Shamed that he stiffed the delivery guy, he goes back upstairs, finds more money and runs outside to catch him. He does so in only his socks, as he's in such a hurry that he doesn't bother to put on shoes. After paying the delivery man he heads back to his door only to realize that he's locked himself out. Truly, his day couldn't get any worse, could it?
From that point, Charles contends with a number of things, first being a work deadline, one that is fast approaching and one that he's unable to work on while outside. He tries time after time to get back into his apartment. He buzzes his upstairs neighbor Andre (Michael Cyril Creighton) who knows that Charles lives in his building but only really "knows" his ex-girlfriend Isha, due to the recluse nature of Charles. Andre is a perfectly prickly neighbor, one that is nice enough (in that NY kind of way) but gets more and more annoyed once Charles continues to have to buzz him in to get inside of the building. You see, not only did Charles lock himself out of the building, but he also locked himself out of the apartment itself.
Hoping to get back into his own home, he calls his friend Neil (Matthew Maher), who holds a spare set of his keys and even his landlord Tony (David Zayas), both of whom say they'll try to head over when they can. Until then, Charles is left to his own devices, which includes trying to break into his own window. That deed catches the eye of a local traffic cop, Officer Slater (Sunita Mani) and their annoyed banter back and forth become a sort of an ongoing motif for the day. That's not even mentioning his kind older neighbor Sara (Lynda Gravatt), his neighbor Paige that he helps with her stoop sale (Hannah Bros) or Elena (Olivia Edward) the smart preteen girl who also lives in his building with her diva-like mother Juliet (Maria Dizzia). As you can see, there's A LOT of story crammed into the short running time of the film.
Yet, just like the city itself, it all works. Filmmaker Casimir Nozkowski lays on just the right about of charm, humor and city romance. Brian Tyree Henry is wonderful here, which is no surprise to anyone who's seen his scene-stealing turns in Atlanta, Kong Vs. Godzilla or the streaming mini-movie The Great Work Begins: Scenes from Angels in America where he absolutely slayed the final monologue from the acclaimed play. His natural charm and warm presence fill every moment with an infectious energy and effortlessly is the driving force of the film. He's also surrounded by a slew of wonderful supporting characters (and many much-loved local NYC actors), all of whom make strong appearances throughout. The only real complaint is that we never really get to know Isha and what it is that makes her so memorable to everyone around her. Still, that's a small complaint for this true charmer of a film. Along with Charles, we have all been stuck inside for the past year and are now starting to venture out for the first time. THE OUTSIDE STORY is a perfectly timed, perfectly paced sweet love letter to The Big Apple and all of its eccentricities and an endearing view into the quest to be happy with yourself.
GRADE: A-
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY Casimir Nozkowski STARRING Brian Tyree Henry, Sonequa Martin-Green, Sunita Mani, Olivia Edward, Lynda Gravatt, Michael Cyril Creighton, Matthew Maher, Hannah Bros, Jordan Carlos, Maria Dizzia, David Zayas. NOW PLAYING ON DEMAND AND IN DIGITAL CINEMAS. FOR MORE INFO: THE OUTSIDE STORY