GOOD GRIEF

US, 2023, 100 minutes, Colour.

Daniel Levy, Ruth Negga, Himesh Patel, Luke Evans, Celia Imrie, Arnaud Valois, David Bradley, Mehdi Baki, Emily Corri, Kaitlyn Dever.

Directed by Daniel Levy.

A very personal film from Canadian writer-director, Daniel Levy. son of comedian Eugene Levy, he appeared with his father in the very successful television series, award-winning, Schitt Creek. He also appeared in the films, The Happiest Season and Haunted Mansion.

This is a film which wears its heart on its sleeve – really, on both sleeves. All the characters are highly emotional, act out in a dramatically emotional manner, the film inviting the audience to identify with the characters and their experiences, irrespective of gender and sexual orientation. For many, this will be easy to do, especially for audiences in their 30s who have shared something of these characters’ experiences. Some older audiences may find themselves rather impatient, wishing that the characters would move towards coming to terms with their experiences (with more rapidity and depth), even exasperated at some of the outbursts, especially in the central characters’ visit to Paris.

Daniel Leavy is a pleasant screen personality, has a way with words and emotions. He plays Marc a painter who has been in a long-term relationship, husband with writer, Oliver, played by Luke Evans. Luke Evans has to be a strong presence at the beginning of the film because he is soon involved in a fatal car accident, Marc’s memories and our impressions in order to appreciate Marc’s grief – and then the complications of revelations about relationships.

The other two in the trio are Thomas, played by Himesh Patel, a gallery manager who had previously been in a relationship with Marc. Then there is the mutual friend from long back, Sophie, Ruth Negga, an exuberant (sometimes wearyingly over-exuberant) would-be singer who wants to take control of her life, especially as she notes, at age 35. And we agree.

So, while good grief is a British expression of amazement, this American production, set in London and Paris with a British cast, is also a drama of how to handle deep grief, and then surprises, sad ones, in grief.

This is very much a 21^st-century scenario, same-sex marriage, friends where orientation is not an issue. The audience is invited to identify with them in their emotions, in their grief and, with some relief, some sensible practical advice from British character actors, Celia Imrie is a financial manager and David Bradley as the dead man’s father, a significant speech that he makes at his son’s funeral, being a sometimes barrier to his son’s hopes and ambitions.

1. The title, the popular expression? A film about grief, not necessarily good, very sad, and grief at betrayal, understanding and forgiveness?
2. The work of Daniel Levy, writing, performing, directing? His sense of characters, dialogue, touches of wit and humour?
3. These are popular songs throughout, Neil Young, Elton John… And the significance of the lyrics, characters and themes?
4. The opening, introduction to Oliver, to Marc, the celebration, the chat, the revelation of the relationship, songs, speeches, Oliver packing, the farewell? The taxi, the sound of the crash, Marc running to the crash, grief? The Christmas gift and his not opening it for a year?
5. Marc, the past relationship with Thomas, the continued friendship, Marc and his paintings, giving up after his mother’s death, regrets at his not supporting her, illustrating Oliver’s work? Thomas urging him to paint? Sophie, friend from a long time, exuberant, over-exuberant, demanding on people, her relationship with Terrance, ups and downs, saying that she left him, the final revelation that he left her, her explanation of the reasons, her sinking low, sleeping at the bus stop, realisations, reuniting?
6. Memories of Oliver, his funeral, the presence of his, father’s speech, impeding his son’s storytelling, his pride, his regrets? The actress, her self-focused video speech, about all this writing, her career, the series of films?
7. Financial situation, the adviser and her care for Marc, selling of the house, the financial arrangements, the discovery of the apartment in Paris, the effect on Marc? The months passing, the consolation from Thomas and Sophie?
8. The decision to go to Paris, inviting his friends, the exuberance of tours of the city, the discovery of the apartment, lavish, Marc not revealing the truth? Their outings, Sophie and Sebastian and friend, the young man and his approach to Thomas?
9. Returning of the Christmas gift to the store, the discussions, concessions, Thomas and Sophie and their spending on clothes?
10. Marc, the encounter with Theo, exchanging numbers, Marc feeling lonely, contacting Theo, his coming, their walk, being honest, Theo dissatisfied with his job but liking the money, not wanting to lie, Marc and his revelation about his mother, about Oliver, about the betrayal? The going to the Monet exhibition, Monet and his sense of loss, losing his sight, the vast paintings, Theo encouraging Marc?
11. The return, Thomas upset and feeling hard done by, Sophie and her collapse, drinking, at the bus station, the police, Thomas having to rescue her, the condemning Marc for his insensitivity?
12. The arrival of the dancer, the key, the surprise to everyone, the revelation of the truth? His asking to stay the night? Sophie and the bad cooking, their toasting loneliness, his staying?
13. Thomas and Sophie upset, the returning to England? Marc returning, the explanation from the dancer?
14. The sequence of Sophie coming to her senses, speaking the truth about herself, the reconciliation with Terrance, her future?
15. The good advice from Imelda, her own experience, grief, new life, memories and regrets?
16. Marc, the house for sale, seeing Oliver at the door, the house and the sea, painting the picture of Oliver, the transition to the exhibition, the portrait of all his friends, their arriving, reconciliations, Sophie with Terrance, Oliver’s father, and Marc finding some peace and a future life?