Starring:
Ryan Phillippe as Simon Cable
Sarah Polley as Clair
Piper Perabo as Anna
Stephen Rea as Doctor Newman
Robert Sean Leonard as Peter Cable
Stephen Lang as Mr. Travitt
Peter Egan as Doctor Truman
Stephen Graham as Travis
Rakie Ayola as Nurse Clayton
Special Features:
None
Other Info:
Widescreen (2.35:1)
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Spanish Language
French Subtitles
Running Time: 91 Minutes
Synopsis:
This film was originally made in 2003 and released internationally in 2004. This is its first US debut. It is based on the stage play “Point Of Death” by Michael Cooney . The following is from the DVD cover:
“Ryan Phillippe leads a hot young cast in this riveting psychological thriller. When Simon (Phillippe) awakens in the hospital after surviving a near-fatal accident, amnesia has erased the last two years from his memory. He learns that his brother (Robert Sean Leonard) was killed, he has married a woman he doesn’t remember (Piper Perabo)… and he’s haunted by strange visions of the woman he loved (Sarah Polley). Soon, he starts to uncover the truth behind his brother’s death and unravel the unbelievable turns his life has taken! If you liked the hit thriller ‘Memento’, you’re sure to love ‘The I Inside’.”
The I Inside is rated R for language and some violence
The Movie:
This film is advertised as being a lot like Memento, and to some extent it is. Both films have a character with amnesia trying to work their way back in time and figure out a murder mystery. However, Memento was a lot better executed in that it made sense at the end. The last minute or so of The I Inside left me scratching my head trying to figure out how the big revelation in the conclusion fit up with the rest of the story. I have a few theories, but none of them hold up upon closer inspection. And unfortunately there are no bonus features to reveal more to the viewer. In the end The I Inside is an interesting trip with an unsatisfying ending.
The I Inside is really a mix of several genres. There is a little bit of time travel included along with drama, horror, and even the supernatural. I can’t say too much without ruining what little suspense the movie has going for it. But suffice it to say that the movie takes a lot of twists and turns right up until the final revelation.
The cast for The I Inside is OK. Ryan Phillippe runs around acting confused and maniacal as Simon Cable. He does a pretty good job of it. Piper Perabo is almost unrecognizable as Anna. She’s able to change from mousy nurse to manipulator with ease. Sarah Polley is the only other noteworthy cast member as Clair. She’s a love interest for Simon, but they don’t give a lot of reason for her to be so appealing to him.
This was obviously a movie with a low budget, but it certainly looks good. Most of the story takes places within the confines of a hospital and they make it look alternately cheery and eerie.
I think that if you liked Memento, then you’re probably a candidate that might like The I Inside. The two movies don’t compare in quality, but they are definitely from the same genre.
The Extras:
There are no bonus features included on this DVD:
The Bottom Line:
The I Inside will keep you guessing for 91 minutes, then scratching your head for the next two hours trying to figure out what happened. If that’s your kind of movie then you’ll want to check it out.
