Go see it. A great little Irish film. No big budget. No special effects. But a truly great true to life story with heart. I loved it. It left me thinking and asking questions long after it was over. An important film.
27 Reviews
The best kind of polemic
aidanharte10 August 2018
Michael Inside has been described as a prison film, a category with a welter of genre expectations in which director Frank Berry hasn't the slightest interest. His purpose rather is to expose audiences to the consequences of unexamined notions about crime and punishment. The film makes it obvious that cinematic depictions of crime rarely rise above titillation. Even great Gangster films - from Godfather to Casino - find a Wagnerian grandeur in their doomed heroes. There's no grandeur in Michael's story. Before he's locked up, he's imprisoned by family history, class and community. It's a polemic of the best kind, one that makes its case by plunging us into its protagonist's claustrophobic experience so completely that any didactic editorializing becomes redundant. The nearest comparison is the Italian film Gomorrah, another modern Neorealist drama with an objective camera, impressionistic editing, minimalist score, and laconic script.
The British criminologist Tom Gash recently questioned the logic of locking up young men at precisely the age when they're most likely to stop engaging in criminality. It's a compelling argument but it's not enough to make it with statistics and reason. It will take angry films like Michael Inside to make people demand reform. These days the most trivial films are routinely described as important. This one is.
Fantastic piece of reality!
wbradshaw-9951810 January 2019
This movie hits all too close to home for me. I've seen people in situations quite similar to our protagonist, and this movie depicts it quite well. This is a well made film and conveys the emotions to the viewers exceptionally! Well worth a watch!
Simple Review
andrewgrgtwn26 January 2019
Ireland at it again!
jacobwadsworth10 May 2020
Well well well. Ireland are producing some quality films recently aren't they.
This film starts off slowly but once you understand what's actually going on you are quickly drawn into this film.
It's sad really but this must happen to a lot of people that go into prison for the littlest of things.
Definitely worth a watch
Great Film but a little slow
higginsjoarrives4 July 2022
The premise of the film is minimal but the acting and the way the film looks is raw and realistic. I enjoyed it but it did test my patience a little at times, but that is more to do with my tastes than it is to do with the film. A good Irish film. A break from the blockbusters, which I don't often take the time to watch.
Outstanding Irish drama
davecoak14 December 2018
Irish movies usually aren't very good in my opinion as an Irish man. It's rare to watch a great Irish movie and very refreshing. Michael Inside is simply outstanding. I felt almost instantly engaged in the story thanks to masterful direction by Frank Berry and a gripping performance from the title character played by Dafhyd Flynn. If the Irish film board had any clue they would be giving Frank Berry a lot of money to make more movies. Michael Inside is the latest great Irish movie I'll add to my list along with recent releases like Black 47, Beyond The Woods and Patrick's Day. I couldn't recommend this movie enough. Moe Dunford's greatest performance since Patrick's Day also.
Michael inside
szpetyi2 June 2019
Must Watch
mrchristopherdoyle5 December 2018
Not good and not bad.
Chrispearce228 January 2019
Gritty does of reality
muamba_eats_toast28 March 2020
Basic story with powerful performances by both the son and grandad highlighting the very real and unfortunate circle of life that many can get stuck in from a small mistake! Extremely moving and remarkable film given the unknown cast and small budget another great reason to support independent films.
Decent and Well Acted
bazookamouth-221-8980973 October 2019
Pretty good lead performance. Realistic prison sequences although I wonder whether that kid Michael would have been able to deal with the prison bully thug and the thugs on the outside at the finale quite so easily. He didn't look tough enough . He looked like a boy band member. The grandfather acted well. Girlfriend Orla kinda odd looking. I thought the bearded guy in the prison who helped him maybe was a gay but that never materialized. All in all watchable. Not worth all the 9s and 10s given out on here though.
Unremittingly bleak
cokeeffee20 January 2019
Traumatic, but don't miss this one
creativedoom25 January 2019
I don't have the artsy vocabulary to describe how well made this movie is, but there's plenty of other reviewers who have. Every aspect pulled me into Michael's world and traumatised me.
Most reviewers don't mention the casting, which was perfect. They cast the scumbags so brilliantly, by which I mean the detective-level Gardaí. This is part of what made the experience so profound. The reality of being pulled into Ireland's Criminal Justice System that ostensibly protects Humanity, but is devoid of it where it truly matters - i.e. when entering into someone's home and sanctuary or when a young offender actually has innocence and prospects. It's very well researched and acts as an exposé of this State's war against the poor.
I couldn't watch this in one sitting, but I couldn't help returning to it. Don't miss this.
I couldn't watch this in one sitting, but I couldn't help returning to it. Don't miss this.
One of the best Irish Films in 2018
joannewoodlow18 January 2019
It's a slow burn but with the budget taken into consideration it's a strong story well told. I would not be watching this movie purely for entertain, it would have to be as an appreciation for what the film maker is trying to communicate. Good cinematography. Definitely an arty indie film.
Definitely worth a watch
keithcunningham198923 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Michael Inside is gritty realism from start to finish. The moral of the story is a great eye opener for someone who has no clue about criminality in Ireland.
The tone is is delivered excellently. The main characters are really likeable. My favorite was Francis. He had Michael's back no mather what. Seeing the gangsters blackmail him was heartbreaking.
The ending is a sad one but also satisfying for the film. If you're Irish I highly recommend this film.
The tone is is delivered excellently. The main characters are really likeable. My favorite was Francis. He had Michael's back no mather what. Seeing the gangsters blackmail him was heartbreaking.
The ending is a sad one but also satisfying for the film. If you're Irish I highly recommend this film.
Realistic and gripping.
exzanya4 March 2021
Good film, very well acted and shot. Completely captures what it is like to live on a council estate. You empathise with the characters, you get upset when they're upset, you are angry when they are angry; sure this is played up, but it is mostly reality. People like this do plod along, make mistakes and get themselves locked up. We understand this, we know of this. It isn't perfect; the ending montage is emotionally charged, although it does edge on the cheesy side, but it is a great effort.
A real documentary feel to it
jeanwallace-6228231 January 2019
I enjoyed this film recently on Netflix. It's a great depiction of prison life, well, what I would imagine of prison life. Very slow, long days, lonely. It is a nice break from the hollywood blockbusters which are having less less impact on an emotional level for me. Well done to the Irish film makers here.
Heartbreaking..
s_amb_uka31 January 2019
Great & accurate representation of incarceration for the younger Irish/British youth
jackjdavey-261313 February 2019
Great and accurate representation of the penal system in the UK & Ireland. Slow burning but entertaining without all of the over the top gang initiations & guard takeovers that come with most modern films with prison as the focus point. Excellent little Irish film that's absolutely worth watching. 10/10.
Michael inside
StevieGreaney27 July 2018
Must see.
thetthman6 November 2020
Created my account to review this movie.
The slippery slope that catches out so many kids in life is there for all to see. Peer pressure and bullying the order of the day and it's a case of a lamb to the slaughter with collateral damage all over the place.
A very sobering realistic kick in the teeth for us all.
The slippery slope that catches out so many kids in life is there for all to see. Peer pressure and bullying the order of the day and it's a case of a lamb to the slaughter with collateral damage all over the place.
A very sobering realistic kick in the teeth for us all.
Very good movie
marcind-2141812 October 2020
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