The Good Half
Grief is an emotion that we all will experience at some detail in our lives . Whether it ’s due to the loss of a parent , friend , or favorite , sorrow is an inevitable part of the human experience . Though the way grief is processed tends to take care differently for different people , all - out avoidance incline to do more problem than mean . That ’s the premise of Robert Schwartzman ’s emotional dramedy , The Good Half . Schwartzman combine his personal experiences with Brett Ryland ’s script to deliver an expressive display case of exit and heartache in a way that will hit close to dwelling for many . Their study of grief and its many faces find solemn , even if a moment skew towards one type .
The story follow Renn Wheeland ( Nick Jonas ) as he journey back to Cleveland , Ohio to look the recent death of his mother Lily ( Elisabeth Shue ) . right away , we learn that Renn is in avoidance mode as he lies to a well-disposed passenger , Zoey ( Alexandra Shipp ) , about his reasons for fall household . He even postulate his Uber driver to take the long way to his puerility house in Hope of escaping his eager - to - utter founding father Darren ( Matt Walsh ) and firm , sometimes uptight sis Leigh ( Brittany Snow ) . None of these little endeavor at put off the elephant in the room body of work , however . Instead , Renn quick learns that the memories of his mother are everywhere . And sooner than later on , he ’ll have to present them .
Jonas ’ approach in seek to escape the memory of his female parent ’s illness and current loss is impressive , to say the least . Ryland ’s writing does well with his performance method acting ; it demand a horse sense of magical spell to run some of the more comedic moments . These instances never overshadow the serious-mindedness and importance of the film ’s subject matter , but allow Jonas to shine in the scene that necessitate a more pernicious approach in delivery . Snow is also a standout . She operates with a lovely brilliance that so few actresses own , and it especially comes pouring out in some of the more emotional scenes .
As Renn and Leigh run errands to finalise the plans for their mother ’s funeral , the difference in the way they process grief manifest itself , almost to the point of being in your face . That ’s not to say that there is n’t a balanced coming in terms of showcasing the unlike method , but the playscript tends to tip towards Renn ’s evading strategy , partly because this is his floor after all . Where the script falters is through its tendency to villainize how everyone else around Renn process their brokenheartedness . Tonally , it feels as if we are being directed to see Leigh as “ too uptight ” or his father as “ too trespassing . ” But in reality , they ’re just trying to get things done and help Renn , which he tends to take as a negative .
The comparability of harnessing and encompass grief versus evading it entirely could work under normal destiny . However , inThe Good one-half , we rarely get insight into the emotions and action of side character outside a few isolated happening . As a result , the friction that builds between Renn and others can get out you feeling emotionally shy in footing of empathizing with certain characters . Furthermore , the resistance and position from Renn often come off as fretful to the item where it ’s a bite more thought-provoking to interpret where he ’s descend from .
But that ’s kind of the beauty withThe Good one-half . Grief makes people do featherbrained thing , and it bring in them act in ways they probably would n’t ordinarily . It could even ensnare people emotionally if they ’re unable to see things outside their own view or fathom what others may be fail through . The important thing is to run with compassion even if you ’re on the receiving end of the negativity because lose a jazz one can be enfeeble . Even worse , coming to term with the closing of life and how to move on from it is a process that dispatch us all differently .
Nick Jonas in The Good Half
The Good Halfpremiered at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival . The film is 100 minutes retentive and not yet rated .
The just Half is a clowning - drama moving picture starring Nick Jonas as Renn , a author who returns home following the death of his mother . As an emotionally distant person , Renn has trouble link with his household , from his sister , Padre , and stepfather . However , a chance encounter with a zippy novel foreign military unit him to confront the conflict within himself and his family .
Nick Jonas, Matt Walsh, Brittany Snow, and Elisabeth Shue in The Good Half
Nick Jonas & Alexandra Shipp in The Good Half
