REVIEW: ‘Inside the Rain,’ available on digital
Photo: Inside the Rain stars Ellen Toland and Aaron Fisher, who also wrote and directed. Photo courtesy of press rep / Provided with permission.
Inside the Rain, the new movie by writer-director Aaron Fisher, follows a college film student by the name of Ben Glass who has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar depression and borderline personality. He has struggled with relationships in the past, and his ultimate test comes when he moves away to college. At first, he finds a healthy rhythm and succeeds in class and life; however, an incident occurs that finds him facing expulsion from the school and heading back home to his parents’ house.
To clear his name and be readmitted to the college, Benjamin decides to do what he does best: make a movie about the entire incident. Along the way, he finds financing, a producer (Eric Roberts) and his leading star (Ellen Toland). His parents’ approval of the project is lacking, and that leaves a gaping hole in his ambitions.
It becomes obvious throughout the narrative that the short film Ben is creating is more than simply a call for justice and an affirmation of his innocence. The cinematic project becomes his rallying cry, his means of gaining independence, his statement to the world.
The audience is allowed into Ben’s thoughts and feelings because of cleverly inserted scenes involving him and his psychiatrist (Rosie Perez).
The dialogue in Inside the Rain feels authentic and revealing. Fisher, who wore many caps for the project, also stars in the main role, so he brings with him a real sense of who Ben is and what motivates him in life. On occasion, the role of Emma Taylor (Toland) feels underwritten, but what is ultimately achieved between her character and Ben turns out to be sweet and interesting. Their friendship and burgeoning relationship with each other never heads down the path of cliché, even during its final moments when these two creations continue into the uncertain future.
Perez stands out in the psychiatrist role. She’s a celebrated actor who has portrayed so many interesting women over the years, and this role, where she refuses to accept any of Benjamin’s excuses, is a strong one for her résumé.
The imperfect movie is an obvious labor of love, and one that offers the audience a sympathetic and depth-filled look at a young man’s adventures in the world. It’s a portrait worth considering for quite some time after the final credits roll.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Inside the Rain (2019). Written and directed by Aaron Fisher. Starring Fisher, Eric Roberts, Rosie Perez and Ellen Toland. Running time: 90 minutes. Rating: 
