Film Review - Inside Out

Emotional Rescue

Film: Inside Out

Voices of: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Richard Kind

Directed by: Pete Docter

Duration: 1 hr 35 mins

Rating:  *  *  *  * 

Co-written by writer /director Pete Docter, he is also responsible for films like Up, Toy Story and Monsters Inc, which makes for an impressive resume, Pixars latest film has an idea which is as original as it can get.  Much like the other films by Docter, this is also about relationships and human psychology, in this case, a child’s.  But that itself could teach adults a thing or two about how we look at children and also ourselves. It is not often that a film can influence the way you think but to its remarkable credibility, Inside Out manages to do that. 

The central character here is not just the young girl Riley (voice of Kaitlyn Dias), the voices in her head are equally significant. In fact they play the key role here. So there is Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Fear, Anger and Disgust all vying for a slice of the pie in her head which is referred to as the ‘Headquarters’ which is sort of like Star Trek’s Bridge. These bunch of Emotions are also appropriately color coded, like Anger has red color. 

It’s all going smoothly for the little girl, her emotions are also in proportionate measure till her parents move from Minnesota where she grew up, to the new neighborhood of San Francisco. 

So Joy and Sadness get lost in this mega maze leaving Riley in turmoil since the other emotions to hold fort but there isn’t much they can do. The two have to get back to ‘headquarters’ before it is too late. Their journey is quite significant as the screenplay constructs some interesting plot points and characters like Bing Bong (Richard Kind), the child’s imaginary friend.  

Signifying positive intent, which is always a good sign, Joy rules the roost with the other emotions pitching in from time to time but it is the former who calls the shots.  Initially, the role of Sadness (whatever she touches goes awry) looks insignificant, what can sadness possibly achieve in anyone’s life?  In a philosophical manner yet subtle manner, the screenplay shows us otherwise.  

The film will undoubtedly appeal more to adults but there is enough fodder to keep the kids engrossed as well. Visually terrific with some very clever designs, Inside Out scores on just about every count. But it scores the highest on the one parameter that makes us love cinema, emotions. 

The Oscar season is still far away but unless there is an upset of gargantuan proportions, the award for the Best Animation Film of the year will go to Inside Out.

 

Published in The Navhind Times on 28th June 2015

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