“Until you accept yourself, no matter where you are will be some kind of prison.”
Mel Blight (Vincent Miller) has been incarcerated since he was 12 years old. He’s aged out of juvenile detention and is being transferred to an adult facility. When he arrives, he learns that he’ll be sharing a cell with Mark Shepherd (Cosmo Jarvis, Shogun), Australia’s most hated inmate. Shepherd is in for life for a violent and disturbing crime he committed at 13 years old. Recently out of maximum security, he believes he’s been chosen by God to lead others to the same revelation he’s received – that there is forgiveness and a form of salvation for others like him.
With about a year to go until parole eligibility, Mel is required to attend a class to prepare him for what’s to come. It’s here that he catches the eye of Warren Murfett (Guy Pearce, The Brutalist). Warren is charged with mentoring Mel and keeping him out of trouble. But, he has problems of his own – one being that he’s in deep debt with some other inmates. After learning that there’s a contract out for Shepherd, Warren conceives a plan that includes Mel to help settle his debt. Shepherd, however, has his own plans for Mel that consist of a part in his religious services. This results in an internal tug-of-war for the young inmate as he wrestles with what is, what has been, and what can be.
Inside is the feature debut for writer/director Charles Williams. Wanting to explore what he calls “inherited damage”, Williams penned a thoughtful script pulling inspiration from his own background. He spent four years researching and interviewing inmates and officers, some of whom made their way into the film. His determination to keep things authentic even extends to the percentage of indigenous inmates we see on screen.
With this level of care, we are introduced to extremely complex characters brought to life by Miller, Pearce and Jarvis. Each actor delivers an outstanding performance, which allows you to see the nuance surrounding the circumstances of the individuals they portray. As you learn what brought these men to this point in their lives, there’s a sense of compassion that develops for who they’ve become. This compassion doesn’t override their crime; it does, however, help you understand their current state and the need for some kind of personal deliverance.
Pearce, as Warren, grounds the film. Initially, you see Warren as a bit of an opportunist. However, he’s not completely selfish. There’s a bit of warmth to him that draws out a type of affection from Mel. This affection is not totally one-sided as they both are longing for a father/son relationship in their own way. Then, there’s Jarvis’ Shepherd. Completely aware of what others think of him, Shepherd is mostly concerned with spreading the good news of there being a way out of the shame through salvation. Jarvis does a great job of bringing dimension to a character that could’ve easily become cliche. He’s not totally fanatical; there’s an earnestness to Shepherd’s pleas for others to join him. Jarvis is able to infuse that determination with the pain of the past in a seamless and meaningful way.
Newcomer Vincent Miller is the standout in this film. It’s his first feature along with Williams. Miller’s interpretation of Mel is incredibly moving. He does an amazing job depicting the emotions of a young man uncertain of his future because of his past. Weighed down by guilt, shame, and familial sin, Mel is fearful of going outside. In fact, he’s not sure if he should be allowed out. With all he’s endured inside his life and the prison walls, there’s still a bit of naivety to Mel that Miller is able to display with tenderness. Watching him come to terms with who he is and who he is not is quite a privilege.
Inside is more than just another prison drama. It’s in some ways a philosophical discussion on what makes someone bad and can they, or should they, ever truly be redeemed. All the background work from Williams pays off in a way that is realistic and still hopeful. The trio of Miller, Pearce and Jarvis is a powerful combination. With an outstanding cast and meticulously crafted story, Inside examines the prison within and the path to freeing yourself.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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