Inside the Rain

While some who share his struggles may be happy to see Fisher telling his own story here, very little in the self-portrait rings true.

Aaron Fisher's semi-autobiographical dramedy about a manic depressive film student gracefully maneuvers through a fair share of mood swings.

A film about mental health issues needs a good script and a first-rate cast to sustain a viewer's interest, and this one has neither.

"Inside the Rain" switches erratically between comedy and drama while juggling many half-realized plot threads. But the movie's strange, inconsistent rhythm ultimately works as a reflection of Ben's manic and depressive states.

In the end, Inside the Rain mostly succeeds thanks to its empathetic message for those who struggle with mental health and of course, Rosie Perez.

Inside the Rain can't help but be a brave piece of filmmaking. But you might not expect it to be as funny as it is. And above all, you may well be caught off-guard by its frequent moments of visual beauty.

I applaud Aaron Fisher's courage, tenacity, and resourcefulness not only to write, direct and star in the film but to put himself 'out there' in hopes of helping himself and others to understand his challenging condition.

...equal parts aggressively honest and enjoyably giddy.

While Fisher's film is intriguing as a reflection of his self-understanding, its contrivances obscure its value as autobiographical revelation.

What Inside the Rain does get right is the great message it sends to audiences to continue to break down prejudices, not only against sex workers but also against the stigma of people with bipolar disorder.