On the Outs
August 2006 Reviewed by: Randall Smith Format: DVD	(all ratings out of 5): Overall Enjoyment Picture Quality Packaged Extras Sound Quality

On the Outs is a film that mirrors a way of life in American society that may not be familiar to you and your family, but it is to many unfortunate youth. This film follows three inner-city girls and the reality of their trials and tribulations in growing up. We see that it is easier to find dark paths leading nowhere than to find the help to avoid them. After a few bad decisions made with very bad timing, these three girls find themselves in a downward spiral of destruction with little or no help for recovering. Does it sound like the film has a message? It does.

It is an independent film and winner of several awards from many well-respected film festivals. While this is a good sign for the quality of the performances and the storyline, I didn’t think it would be great for home theater. But the quality of the video is very good. Every scene from the intense close-ups to the wider-framed scenic shots was razor-sharp and detailed.

The audio on this DVD was delivered in stereo. Never during the 83 minutes of this film did I feel that a Dolby Digital mix would have added any more to the experience. All dialogue imaged well across the screen, and my two front speakers easily handled the bass of the hip-hop tracks. Female vocals were evenly placed into scenes; I never detected any over-dubbing or anything else out of place.

The extras reveal the depth of the film. We see the filmmakers’ research, which forms the backbone of the film and develops the individual stories. The overall feel of the film is close to that of the film Bubble, a gripping story with ultra-realistic characters. The creators spent three months with these young girls in detention centers and even included some of them in the movie. Again, the extras helped me form a connection with the story.

On the Outs is the sort of movie that should be seen in high schools, perhaps in a censored version. It can shed light on issues that may soon face the students. Just because the main characters are based on a female’s point of view doesn’t make it a girls’ story; it is relevant to teenage males as well. It is an award-winning movie that wins in so many ways.

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