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Inside Moves

Play trailer Poster for Inside Moves PG 1980 1h 53m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
67% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Depressed and suffering from low self-esteem, Roary attempts to kill himself by jumping out of a building. When his failed suicide attempt leaves him crippled, he turns to drink, favoring a local dive bar frequented by the handicapped. There, he befriends the bartender, an ex-basketball player saving up for corrective surgery in hopes of returning to the court, and meets a kind young lady who aids him with his physical and mental rehabilitation.
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Inside Moves

Critics Reviews

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Michael Blowen Boston Globe Apr 28, 2018
Donner always floats on the surface, willing to let the superficial emotional appeal of his characters carry the movie. No attempt is made to explore the inner trauma of losing your hands or the social stigma attached to the physically disadvantaged. Go to Full Review
Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Jan 9, 2024
4/5
'...one of the better Hollywood movies on the subject of disability...' Go to Full Review
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Jul 22, 2023
2.5/4
...irresistibly gritty, lived-in atmosphere... Go to Full Review
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Jun 9, 2011
C+
Diana Scarwid received a Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for this sensitive but uneven melodrama about an embittered disabled man, well played by John Savage. Go to Full Review
Pete Croatto Filmcritic.com Mar 24, 2009
1.5/5
There is so much high drama and splendid triumph that the movie loses any basis in reality, so it's impossible to relate to what anyone's enduring Go to Full Review
Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice Jan 29, 2004
Inside Moves is a film that celebrates human solidarity and the true meaning of friendship. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Max M. @Househuntermax May 10, 2026 When you think the movie’s gonna go left, It goes right. Of course great direction by Richard Donner and shout out to Dennis Madalone for the jump stunt at the beginning of the movie. Great character study. See it! See more
Keith B. @Okbullard May 7, 2026 Wow what a great film that's definitely a sleeper. I never heard of this one and had no idea what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. It had great acting, and storyline. The ending was phenomenal with an absolute positive feel and full of hope. Watch it, you'll love it. See more
David T @person444 May 3, 2026 Wonderful movie, just great acting and a good story. See more
William R @RT88705969 Jun 22, 2025 This movie is very well done w a moving story about friendship and mental health. One of my favorite films from the 80s. Very sweet, special, and moving. Hey Roryyyyy Hey Jerryyyy See more
Brad S. R @RT07389644 Mar 14, 2025 A generally competent drama and something of a vacation piece for director Richard Donner, but, despite some really great moments, the film never really amounts to more than the sum of its parts. Those parts alone, however, are still worth the viewing. See more
Eye C @ECinc Feb 3, 2025 Now this is a depressing movie, it’s a surprise that this was the follow up film from Superman, kind of a downfall. See more
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Inside Moves

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Cast & Crew

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Richard Donner

Director

John Savage

Roary

David Morse

Jerry Maxwell

Diana Scarwid

Louise

Amy Wright

Anne

Tony Burton

Lucius

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Inside Moves

Inside Moves (1980) Inside Moves (1980) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Depressed and suffering from low self-esteem, Roary attempts to kill himself by jumping out of a building. When his failed suicide attempt leaves him crippled, he turns to drink, favoring a local dive bar frequented by the handicapped. There, he befriends the bartender, an ex-basketball player saving up for corrective surgery in hopes of returning to the court, and meets a kind young lady who aids him with his physical and mental rehabilitation.
Director
Richard Donner
Producer
R.W. Goodwin, Mark M. Tanz
Screenwriter
Todd Walton, Valerie Curtin, Barry Levinson
Distributor
Associated Film Distribution
Production Co
Goodmark Productions Inc.
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 19, 1980, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 12, 2015
Runtime
1h 53m
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