Stranger Inside

Starring:Yolonda Ross, Davenia McFadden, Rain Phoenix, Ella Joyce, Conchata Ferrell, Lee Garlington, LaTonya 'T' Hagans, Medusa (IV), Marc Vann, Alma Yvonne, Mary Mara, Karina Logue, Emily Kuroda, Elayn Taylor, Lamese Williams, Claudia Timaan, Katrina Phillips, Tanya Little, Kelly Jo Minter, Sandy Martin
Director: Cheryl Dunye
Studio: Hbo Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

A striking story of a young woman seeking her mother in the depths of the prison system. Treasure Lee (Yolanda Ross) is a tough juvenile offender who has never known her mother. When she learns that her mother, known as Brownie (Davenia McFadden), is in a nearby prison for life, Treasure attacks a fellow inmate to get transferred there. Once she arrives, she and her mother soon bond, and Brownie puts Treasure to work dealing drugs as part of her team. As Treasure gets in deeper, she discovers that her mother isn't everything she pretends to be. This potent HBO movie, directed by Cheryl Dunye (The Watermelon Woman), is tightly written and edited, and features remarkable performances from a cast of unknowns, including Rain Phoenix. Explicit sex and violence makes for a gritty portrait of prison life more real than HBO's acclaimed series Oz. --Bret Fetzer

Description

Treasure Lee has moved out of 'juvenile' into the state penitentiary, and met up with Brownie, a jail-toughened lifer dealing drugs and contraband. Brownie works with an extended family of loyal girls, ready to kill or be killed for their 'mother.' There's something about Brownie that draws Treasure closer, but the closer she gets, the more her life is on the line.

Customer Reviews:

NO SUGAR COATING HERE.................2007-02-22

I guess I will never understand how these types of films get absolutely no promotional solicitation.

This film is excellent. You are left feeling a connection to the characters and wanting to know more. The events (although unfortunate) are realistic and relatable.

I would (and already have) recommend this film to others.

Very Intense Film.......2006-01-12

I really enjoyed this film... The relationship that Treasure had with her mother was unfortunately, not far from reality in some cases. I thought the activities/events of prison life was really bold of HBO and I was impressed with their dedication to keep things in line with reality. I think the acting in the film, especially by Treasure, was very well presented. The characters were believable and realistic. Great job on this one...

REAL, WONDERFUL, GRIPPING AND NASTY!.......2003-01-11

I LOVED THIS FILM!
THE MOVIE WAS RAW,AND IT LEFT YOU GUESSING, UNTIL THE END!
THE GIRLS GOT, DOWN RIGHT NASTY, BUT, I GUESS, THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS, IN THE PRISON, LIFE!

Gritty, Realistic, Sometimes Hard to Watch.......2002-08-19

What makes this movie a standout is that it all seems real. This is no backlot prison stage with sqeaky clean actors trying to play real grit. This is truly a down and dirty portrayal of women's prison life. But despite the often disturbing depiction of this (the unabashed violence; and one scene with a prison guard and a speculum), that's not really what this movie is about. It delves deeper into one young woman's dream/fantasy of recapturing the archetypal missing mother and chronicles her transformation from a girl who knows what she wants (to find her mother, Brownie, who is locked up in the federal pen) to a young woman whose self-discovery becomes her ultimate grief.

The movie is filled with outstanding performances (Rain Phoenix, for one is phenomenal), good pacing and production,and good storytelling. It falls short because I believe it does perpetuate some stereotypes many may have about women's prisons and at times, doesn't seem to be able to move beyond these familiar, formulaic images. I would have liked to have seen something I haven't seen in prison movies before.

The DVD has chapter selection capability and is presented in widescreen format. However, if you are looking for special features, this is about it. I would have liked to have seen a "behind the camera" featurette or a director's commentary on this disc. Cheryl Dunye is a talented, talented director and not to have heard directly from her about this movie is a shortcoming.

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

NO SUGAR COATING HERE.................2007-02-22

Very Intense Film.......2006-01-12

REAL, WONDERFUL, GRIPPING AND NASTY!.......2003-01-11

I LOVED THIS FILM!
THE MOVIE WAS RAW,AND IT LEFT YOU GUESSING, UNTIL THE END!
THE GIRLS GOT, DOWN RIGHT NASTY, BUT, I GUESS, THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS, IN THE PRISON, LIFE!

Gritty, Realistic, Sometimes Hard to Watch.......2002-08-19

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