Review of Life Inside Out (2014) by Carole S — 31 Oct 2014

I took my 11-year-old daughter to see this movie. Afterwards I asked her what the movie was about.The difficulties of being a teenager or living with one? The tremendous love of a mother for her child? The pitfalls of mid-life when you realize that you once had dreams? Is the movie about music and the great joy provided by it? Is it about the relationship of a mother and her teenage son? Is it about not giving up on your dreams no matter what age you are? My daughter said "yes" to all of these. While the storyline is predictable I loved that it was not overdone - Shane did not "get" the girl in the end or a record contract, what he did get was more confidence and the sense of possibilities for his life and that made him happy. And Laura as well. Dreams change. When we become parents our kids' dreams become ours, too. As a side note, the fact that one of the twins' girlfriend was black, and Shane's love interest of mixed-race heritage yet no particular mention was ever made of this was not lost on me. It sent a subtle but powerful message of diversity and oneness that filled my heart with warmth.

Sibylle Westbrook, Los Angeles.