***SOME SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW. DO NOT READ IF YOU DO NOT WANT PLOT ELEMENTS REVEALED***
This is a slow moving and moody indie in which two damaged people come together and help each other heal.
The film has a couple very likable leads in Spencer Grammar and Josh Pence, and supporting player Nate Corddry. They come across as unaffected young actors who have better films/TV in their futures. The theme offers lots of potential chances for the script to drown in bathos, but wisely steers clear of most, opting for a more realistic examination of what it is like for people dealing with the aftermath of losing a loved one.
Unfortunately the movie trips itself up by forcing pointless stock characters on us, such as the friends of Nate Corddry's character who are there to provide (supposed) comic relief from the sadness surrounding Eric and Rachel. Scripting could have been better also. A side plot involving Eric's brother on his third tour of duty overseas goes nowhere and didn't need to be included. The same holds true for the coincidence of Rachel's father being Eric's new dermatologist; contrived situations like this suit a romcom better than a realistic examination of two grieving people.
My biggest problem with the film is the reveal in the final quarter of the film which I won't give away here, but which changes the entire way we view Eric. It almost sinks the entire movie. While it is successful as a surprising revelation that certain clues may have pointed to, it still destroys sympathy for Eric, and moved my star rating toward a 4.
Professionally done, but a bit schizoid in its approach to the material, In Lieu of Flowers may appeal to some. It's not a bad movie, it just could have been better.
This is a slow moving and moody indie in which two damaged people come together and help each other heal.
The film has a couple very likable leads in Spencer Grammar and Josh Pence, and supporting player Nate Corddry. They come across as unaffected young actors who have better films/TV in their futures. The theme offers lots of potential chances for the script to drown in bathos, but wisely steers clear of most, opting for a more realistic examination of what it is like for people dealing with the aftermath of losing a loved one.
Unfortunately the movie trips itself up by forcing pointless stock characters on us, such as the friends of Nate Corddry's character who are there to provide (supposed) comic relief from the sadness surrounding Eric and Rachel. Scripting could have been better also. A side plot involving Eric's brother on his third tour of duty overseas goes nowhere and didn't need to be included. The same holds true for the coincidence of Rachel's father being Eric's new dermatologist; contrived situations like this suit a romcom better than a realistic examination of two grieving people.
My biggest problem with the film is the reveal in the final quarter of the film which I won't give away here, but which changes the entire way we view Eric. It almost sinks the entire movie. While it is successful as a surprising revelation that certain clues may have pointed to, it still destroys sympathy for Eric, and moved my star rating toward a 4.
Professionally done, but a bit schizoid in its approach to the material, In Lieu of Flowers may appeal to some. It's not a bad movie, it just could have been better.