Good Grief movie review film summary 2023 Roger Ebert

Dan Levy's film "Good Grief" struggles with writing and directing, but features a strong cast and potential for future success.

In "Good Grief," Dan Levy showcases his strong on-screen presence as a remarkably natural and likable performer, but he faces challenges in finding his voice as a writer and director. The film serves as a modest study of the impact of loss, at times pushing emotional buttons harder than necessary and failing to fully develop its ensemble cast. However, when the well-cast dramedy allows its characters to simply exist and breathe, it highlights Levy's potential strengths as a filmmaker, marking a promising entry into the film world for the Emmy winner. Moving forward, it is hoped that Levy will trust his actors and audience more in future projects.

The film begins at a Christmas party hosted by Marc (Levy) and his husband Oliver (Luke Evans), a famous writer with blockbuster adaptations of his books. When Oliver tragically dies in a car crash, Marc is sent into a spiral of grief, reflecting on his past experiences with loss and grappling with the complexities of his identity as an orphan and widower. "Good Grief" delves into the deconstruction of these simplistic labels, revealing the multifaceted nature of its characters.

A year after Oliver's death, Marc discovers a Christmas card from Oliver confessing to an affair and expressing a desire to discuss their future. This revelation prompts Marc to travel to Paris, accompanied by his friends Sophie (Ruth Negga) and Thomas (Himesh Patel), in an effort to gain closure and confront the emotional impact of betrayal. While the film explores the dynamics of this makeshift family, it falls short in fully developing the supporting characters, relying on predictable plot devices and cliches to drive the narrative.

Despite its shortcomings, "Good Grief" showcases warm performances from Negga and Patel, embodying the theme of makeshift family. However, the script's reliance on contrived plot developments and a forced new romantic relationship for Marc detracts from the film's overall impact. Levy's directorial debut demonstrates potential, but would benefit from a more organic and less predictable approach to storytelling.