Outside Providence

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Outside Providence ★★½ 1999 (R)

Although heavily promoted as created “by the makers of ‘There's Something About Mary”‘ upon its release to draw fans of lowbrow humor, this coming-of-age comedy is actually a bit more sensitive. Based on Peter Farrelly's semi-autobiographical novel, it tells the story of Dunph (Hatosy), a stoner teen from Pawtucket who's sent to a snooty prep school by his father (Baldwin) after he and his high-on friends crash into a police car. He has immediate trouble fitting in, although he manages to hook up with coed Jane (Smart), whose book smarts help his anemic GPA. Unfortunately, his pranks put her Ivy League hopes in danger. Baldwin gives a good performance as the gruff-but-loving dad, but too many of the characters are merely skimmed over before they have a chance to develop. 103m/C VHS, DVD . Shawn Hatosy, Alec Baldwin, George Wendt, Jonathan Brandis, Amy Smart, Gabriel Mann, Jon Abrahams, Adam LaVorgna, Mike Cerrone, Richard Jenkins; D: Michael Corrente; W: Peter Farrelly, Michael Corrente, Bobby Farrelly; C: Richard Crudo; M: Sheldon Mirowitz.