Okay,here’s a breakdown of the review,covering its main points,strengths,weaknesses,and overall impression.
Overall Impression:
The review is largely mixed but leans positive.The critic acknowledges the film’s enterprising tackling of incredibly arduous subject matter (suicide, grief, PTSD) and appreciates the sincerity behind it, given the writer/director’s personal experience. However, they also find the film tonally inconsistent, sometimes awkward, and ultimately emotionally underwhelming despite its good intentions. They recognize the film’s strengths, particularly Kaitlyn Dever‘s performance, but feel Cooper Raiff’s portrayal is less effective.
Key Points & Summary:
* Subject Matter & Sincerity: The film deals with the aftermath of a young woman’s suicide and the grief experienced by her brother, Aaron, and their family. The critic emphasizes the weight of this subject matter and acknowledges the film’s authenticity stemming from the director’s personal loss.
* Tonal Issues: A major criticism is the film’s fluctuating tone. The critic finds the initial attempts at lighthearted banter within the family after the tragedy jarring and confusing, exacerbated by the upbeat score.
* Character Coping Mechanisms: The review highlights how each family member copes differently: the mother throws herself into work,the father compulsively shares the story,and the sister focuses on logistics.
* Aaron’s Struggle: The film centers on aaron’s spiraling grief, depicted through listlessness, self-destructive behavior (DUI), and attempts to reconnect with a girl he ghosted. The review notes the film sometimes underplays his struggles or awkwardly tries to find humor in them.
* Flashbacks & Leah: Flashbacks to Aaron’s relationship with his sister, Leah, are used to represent intrusive thoughts and grief. Kaitlyn Dever’s performance as Leah is praised for conveying vibrancy and unreachability.
* Raiff’s Performance: Cooper Raiff’s performance as Aaron is seen as opaque and less compelling. The critic notes he’s more cozy in comedic roles and that his usual “schtick” is somewhat endearing in this context, but ultimately he feels out of his depth.
* EDMR Therapy Scenes: The film depicts Aaron undergoing EMDR therapy for PTSD. The critic commends the ambition of showing this clinical process but finds the cinematic execution lacking emotional impact.
* Emotional Impact: The review concludes by stating the critic couldn’t fully connect emotionally with the film, possibly due to an inability to fully grasp the depth of Aaron’s pain.They suggest others who have experienced similar trauma might find more comfort or validation in the film.
Strengths of the Review:
* Nuance: The review avoids simple praise or condemnation. It acknowledges both the film’s strengths and weaknesses.
* Specific Examples: The critic provides concrete examples to support their points, such as the jarring family banter, the awkwardness of the rom-com subplot, and the underwhelming EMDR scenes.
* Performance Analysis: The review offers insightful commentary on the performances of both Raiff and Dever.
* Contextualization: The critic acknowledges the director’s personal connection to the material,which adds weight to the discussion.
* Thoughtful Consideration: The review demonstrates a willingness to consider why the film might not have resonated with them personally and acknowledges the potential for others to have different experiences.
weaknesses of the Review:
* Slightly Rambling: The review feels a bit meandering at times, jumping between different aspects of the film without always a clear throughline.
* could be More Decisive: While nuanced is good, the review could benefit from a slightly stronger overall conclusion. It ends on a somewhat hesitant note.
this is a well-written and thoughtful review that provides a balanced assessment of a challenging and ambitious film. It’s a review that encourages readers to approach the film with an open mind, acknowledging its flaws while recognizing its sincere attempt to grapple with difficult themes.
Related reading