Dan Levy makes his directing debut with the comedy-drama Good Grief, which is set to release in 2023. The film stars Levy, Ruth Negga, Himesh Patel, Celia Imrie, David Bradley, Arnaud Valois, and Luke Evans. In the movie, a guy deals with the death of his spouse and is supported by his two closest friends as he works through his grief and comes to terms with it. The movie debuted on December 29, 2023, in the US, then on January 5, 2024, it went global on Netflix. Let’s take a look at the review of the comedy-drama Good Grief
Good Grief Review
Daniel Levy makes his feature film debut directing a guy navigating life after grief with a kind yet intelligent touch. Comedic set pieces such as misplaced connections, misidentifications, and confusions that culminate in joyful endings are the driving force behind romantic comedies. (After all, Shakespeare is the paradigm for them all.) “Good Grief” has plenty of those kinds of moments. It’s a romantic comedy about attractive urbanites in picturesque settings who discover friendship, life, and love. But to the tremendous credit of the movie’s writer, director, and star Daniel Levy (of “Schitt’s Creek”), this is a different kind of movie — and a far better one.
Not that “Good Grief” isn’t hilarious; in fact, it is quite often. But it seems as though a drama has been wrapped around the well-known madcap beats, and the outcome treats the long tail of mourning in a way that is both delicate and genuine. A vehicle tragedy claims the life of Marc (Levy), the central character, a London-based artist who leaves behind many unanswered questions, some of which he keeps from his loved ones. With the support of his friends Thomas (Himesh Patel) and Sophie (Ruth Negga), Marc attempts to make sense of his first year as a shocked widower. All of them are artistic individuals in their late 30s with a rich past; Thomas works at a gallery, while Sophie creates costumes for motion pictures. Every one of the three also has long-simmering hurts of their own, and things explode when the three spend a weekend in Paris together.
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Existential Reflections: Love, Loss, and Entangled Lives
This is the kind of movie you want to watch at home because of its exquisite furnishings, radiant lighting, and luxurious coziness—which almost borders on Nancy Meyers territory. Oliver leaves Marc comfortably well-off, with a magnificent mansion that Thomas just moves into to keep his friend company. Oliver is the author of a popular young adult book series that resembles Harry Potter and inspired a big film franchise. “Good Grief” can concentrate on more existential and emotional aspects since it is not burdened by the issue of Marc’s financial stability, which is a common concern for many individuals following an unexpected death. What happens to the person whose life you have entangled with yours? How can you go on living when love suddenly vanishes?
The reason the answers are complicated is that everyone handles the different stages of sorrow differently. Emotions oscillate. We attempt various methods to numb the suffering, experiencing relief one day and horror the next. Nothing occurs predictably. It cannot be mended; it can only be lived through, therefore no one can tell you how to fix it.
Balanced Storytelling: Revealing the History of Friendships
With deft handling of all this intricacy, Levy’s screenplay avoids oversimplifying Marc’s experiences. “Good Grief” instead accomplishes that uncommon yet lovely thing: It assumes that the audience will focus. It doesn’t go into too much information about Marc and Oliver(Luke Evans)’s marriage, with its ups and downs, concessions, and arguments, but it does go into length about the history of the group’s friendship. There are no real surprises, and the film never seemed to be about to go in for the easy route. Thankfully.
Your ability to go through lengthy discussions among friends about suffering, regrets, and loss may determine how successfully “Good Grief” works for you. Though it occasionally sags and momentarily loses rhythm in abstractions, overall, I think it’s effective. But it always comes back, evoking feeling without delving into a treacherous abyss of cloying mush. The actors deserve the credit for making these characters feel instantly recognized and their relationship legible as complex love thanks to Ruth Negga‘s vivacity, Patel’s painful authenticity, and Levy’s extraordinary gift for line reading.
By diverting his attention, Marc(Daniel Levy) “opted out” of the grief after his mother died, and he’s now doing it once more, he confesses late in the movie. Some characters choose not to feel their grief; they drown it, ignore it, or just refuse to admit it. However, the accompanying pain of loss remains constant, transforming like a hollow spot in your chest. Most romantic comedies include difficulties that are readily resolved and are the result of misunderstandings. Resolution is not the main goal of “Good Grief.” To continue loving and to discover fresh life is the goal.
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Summary
“Good Grief” occasionally loses momentum in abstract moments, the overall effect is considered successful. The film invites viewers to reflect on the diverse ways individuals handle grief and the enduring pain of loss. The film’s rich visuals, comfortable settings, and luxurious atmosphere contribute to its appeal, making it suitable for home viewing. “Good Grief” was released in the US on December 29, 2023, and globally on Netflix on January 5, 2024, receiving positive reviews for its delicate handling of intricate emotions and its departure from traditional romantic comedy conventions.