Good Grief (2023) Movie review

Levy, who excels on screen with his natural and likable presence, encounters some challenges in finding his voice as both a writer and director in "Good Grief." The film explores the impact of loss but tends to push emotional buttons a bit too forcefully and doesn't give equal attention to all its characters. However, when the well-cast dramedy allows the characters to simply be and breathe, it showcases Levy's potential strengths as a filmmaker. Despite its flaws, "Good Grief" serves as a promising debut for the Emmy winner in the film industry. Looking ahead, one can hope that Levy places more trust in his actors and audience in his future projects.

Good Grief Review

"Good Grief" kicks off with a Christmas party hosted by Marc (played by Levy) and his famous writer husband, Oliver (Luke Evans). Oliver's books are blockbuster hits, akin to "The Hunger Games" or "Twilight." However, tragedy strikes as Oliver dies in a car crash on the way to a book signing at the Louvre, leaving Marc and the party attendees in shock.

Marc, familiar with grief from his past, tries to navigate his pain, identifying himself as an orphan and widower. The film challenges these simplistic labels, revealing the complexity of each character. The real drama unfolds a year after Oliver's death when Marc finally opens a Christmas card from Oliver, discovering a confession of an affair and a desire to discuss their future. This revelation raises questions about the intersection of grief and betrayal.

As the plot thickens, Marc learns about Oliver's Parisian apartment and his planned meeting with the lover on the fatal night. Seeking emotional closure, Marc, accompanied by his supportive friends Sophie (Ruth Negga) and Thomas (Himesh Patel), travels to France. Despite their own struggles, the friends embark on the journey to bring peace to Marc, even if he keeps the purpose of the trip under wraps. The film unfolds with unexpected twists, exploring the tangled emotions of grief, betrayal, and the quest for closure in the City of Lights.

In his desire to create a film about a makeshift family, Levy succeeds in capturing warm performances from the talented Negga and Patel. However, this attempt at portraying a chosen family becomes a double-edged sword in the script. While the characters, including Marc, undergo growth arcs, they remain somewhat underdeveloped. The film's focus on Marc's perspective limits the depth of understanding we gain about the supporting characters.

A new romantic relationship introduced in Paris adds to the film's weaknesses, making it feel forced and predictable. Instead of allowing Marc to forge his own path in an unpredictable way, the script resorts to cliches and plot threads that struggle to provide the needed momentum.

"Good Grief" also tends to linger too much on Marc's melancholy, overshadowing the potential authenticity of characters like Sophie and Thomas, who end up feeling like mere reflections of Marc's journey. The film occasionally slips into melodrama, especially with song choices like Neil Young's "Only Love Can Break Your Heart," which, while poignant, comes off as a bit too obvious.

While "Good Grief" could have embraced pure melodrama, it gets stuck in a gray area where two-dimensional supporting characters hinder it from being truly realistic or emotionally charged enough. The film's script often mirrors Marc's sense of being lost, reaching for plot elements and cliches without achieving the desired momentum or emotional depth.

• Read more: The Crime is Mine (2023) 

• Read more: wonka 2023 movie review

Despite the flaws in "Good Grief," some viewers may find solace in connecting with its flawed characters. I'm personally intrigued to see what Dan Levy does next, and Ruth Negga's acting is always a pleasure to watch. The film shines brightest when it capitalizes on the strengths of its cast, but unfortunately, for a significant portion of the time, it's just okay.