moonspinner55 A botched suicide attempt leaves a young man with a terrible limp and emotional scars, yet he is able to turn his life around with the help of a friendly bartender at the neighborhood hangout; after helping the bartender recover from a vicious attack by a black pimp, the two men find they are both attracted to the same woman, a friendly waitress. Dialogue-driven character piece was directed by Richard Donner, who seems to revel in these extraordinary 'ordinary' lives. Oscar nominee Diana Scarwid gives a fine performance as the working girl, though the film's weak link may be the shaggy-haired central character (John Savage), who simply isn't a very intriguing or charismatic presence. Well-enough done for those seeking small movie pleasures. **1/2 from ****

the_mysteriousx Inside Moves is a nice film that sort of combines the best of 70s-styled minimal cinema with the heart you would expect from a Richard Donner film. The most interesting thing about the making of this film is that it's the movie Richard Donner did after he was fired from Superman II. Donner had been a highly successful television director for nearly 20 years when he got his big break on 'The Omen' in 1976. On that hit, he was offered 'Superman' and directed a large scale classic. We'll see most of his vision for 'Superman II' later this year when 'The Donner Cut' comes out on DVD. However, 'Inside Moves' is a small scale film that tells a simple human story and shows that Donner can win with both big and small films.The opening prelude is quite stunning. John Savage plays Roary, a man who walks up to a building, goes in, and jumps out the window of the 10th floor to commit suicide. He fails and after recovery, he ends up disabled and with nothing. He walks into a bar and finds himself among other disabled people, including Jerry (David Morse in an early lead role) whose bad knee prevents him from following his dream of playing basketball. Roary finds that these people openly kid about their disabilities and at the same time care about each other. Roary begins to open up and find hope and cling to his new friend, Jerry. When Roary helps Jerry get money to have an operation that will fix his knee, Jerry forgets his roots and leaves the bar, disappointing his friends. It's up to Roary to deal with his own emotions and feelings for a fellow waitress (nicely played by Diana Scarwig in an Oscar-nominated performance), and calling Jerry out to return to his friends at the bar.There are a few schmaltzy moments, but this film has focus and heart. Donner always succeeds in that. More than that, this film has some wonderful issues that are touching and make you think. Remembering your roots, friendship, love for someone with a disability, and how one person's success can mean so much to his friends are just many of the slices of life that this film depicts. It's all done with taste and intimate style that makes you feel like you know these people. I found myself laughing at jokes that i didn't even think were funny because I simply liked and cared for the people. There are lots of veteran actors you'll recognize including Steve Kahan (Donner's cousin, who is in nearly every Donner film), Bill Henderson (a wonderful actor who is one of the most friendly people you wish you'd meet) and after a 34 year absence since his Oscar-winning performance in 'The Best Years of Our Lives' - Harold Russell - whose disability of having metal hands is not exploited. This film doesn't treat people with disabilities in such a way. You don't look at the blind man's lack of eyes, or the man with the metal hands, you look at people. The whole cast is wonderful. A lot of the actors get to etch characters that they don't get to do in every role they take. Richard Donner deserves a cheer for this small film with a big heart.

AndrewRobertsVoice So friend of mine told me when she returned from her trip to DC, 'You gotta see 'Inside Moves'!' I remember asking her what it was about. She said to me, 'I don't know how to explain it, but I know you are going to love this one!' But it did not come to our hick town, forsaken by God, when it was released in 1980. Then, while practicing with a new surfboard of the day, in 1981 or 2, I crashed on HBO when I see a…something smash the top of a car! Director Richard Donner had my full attention. When it's revealed during the opening credits, this is a failed suicide attempt, I noticed a very promising actor, John Savage. However, I was wrestling with my then 'Catholic/Christian Compassion' I wasn't sure I wanted to see a flick about guy, Roary, who wants to send himself straight to the fiery pits of hell for eternal damnation! But, when we are immediately introduced to the other colorful characters that live in his building and pass the time of day in Max's Bar, "Inside Moves" had full-undivided attention of my body, mind and spirit! "Inside Moves" is a human drama about getting to know these real people whom we almost never talk to, while observing the humanity in the physically challenged and emptiness of emotional cripples. The entire cast of, then, unknown actors under the skillful fly on the wall direction of Richard Donner makes "Inside Moves" a film well worth watching...at Thanksgiving too..with the whole family!

masterfundi John Savage provides us with another look at his exceptional talent with perhaps his finest performance since The Deerhunter, with a supporting cast including Oscar-nominated Diana Scarwid and another of my favorites, David Morse. A truly feel-good movie, directed by Richard Donner, that explores the depths of human emotion while depicting the sometimes comedic, sometimes heartwrenching stories of characters who are all crippled, either physically, mentally, or morally. It is a great mystery to me why this movie has not been made available on DVD, and if I knew how to achieve its release, I would be relentless in my pursuit of that goal!