Films Outside the Loop Jeanne Chappé

Walter (Mathew Modine) returns from Mexico to the United States. He left his brother (Josh) ten years ago and returns home with birthday presents for Josh's 18th birthday. It is an unexpected and a very difficult reunion.

Josh has a group of friends who sniff glue, smoke dope, snort coke and drink alcohol. They are reckless and bored teenagers. Josh drinks diet root beer. Josh is played beautifully by Jonathan Rhys-Meyers.

Bella is played by Fairuza Balk and she is an amazingly talented actress. Bella and Josh have a very close relationship with no sex. They also play a word game that is extremely difficult if you try to play it yourself!

Josh is plagued by dreams and flashbacks from his childhood. He went into a foster home when he was two years old (after his parents had died in a car crash). Maybe they did and maybe they didn't.

One great quote: "The best part about giving blood is beer goes twice as far!" This quote comes from the policewoman that Josh has a crush on. This policewoman is Emily (Mary-Louise Parker). Their attraction is very believable. How about attracting women by giving blood?

Michael Madsen plays "Skarney" which is an appropriate name for him. This guy is so coked out that he is not necessarily making good decisions. What a surprise! The scene with Skarney sitting in front of an antique desk below the planes flying in and out of LAX is exquisite.

Walter draws Josh into his world...where the scams are bigger than stealing birthday money from grandmothers. This film is a trip into the lives of a number of different people and you will NOT be bored.

The music throughout this film is intriguing without being intrusive.

Runtime: 1:39

This film is available on VHS, cable or satellite.

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