Collateral Beauty – Budget of $36 million – 1 hour and 36 minutes

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Wit, Claire, and Simon have watched their friend, Howard, fall apart after his daughter died 2 years ago. As his life deteriorated, so did his company. Wit, Carla, and Simon want to have him declared mentally incompetent, so they can repair the company and increase its public share value. They get a private investigator, Sally Price, to find evidence to support them. Sally discovers that Howard is writing letters to Time, Death, and Love. Although this is tough to hear, it doesn’t mean Howard is crazy, just coping. So, Wit gets the idea to hire actors to play the physical manifestations of these concepts; and with Howard’s letter and a little coaching, they can make Howard look mentally unstable.

Each concept will enter Howard’s life to guide him. With a larger share price, Wit hopes he can earn more money and get his daughter to love him again. Claire hopes that she can afford IVF treatment and sperm donation. She spent so much time working to create a family within the company, that she forgot to create her own. Simon needs the money to take care of his family because he is sick.  He fears that after his death they will be penniless. The coaches spend so much time with the “Concepts”, who are really being helped.

This movie has a great, albeit depressing, concept. If you search deep enough, you can see the beauty in the plot line. However, the ending is a bit confusing. You are at a loss for what is real and what is imaginary. With a premise that is supposed to make you think, it just leaves you confused. Collateral Beauty tries hard to be introspective but slowly unravels. Even with the confusion, this movie is led by an amazing cast, which saves the movie. See this one matinee.

I give it 3 out of 5 stars

What is your “why” – Howard

No, I caused my divorce. Sally just documented it – Wit

You’re a dead tissue that does not decompose – Claire

That’s impressive – Simon

Shed your skin. Find your life. You can have it for free – Love

Great. When do we get paid? – Time

Well done, you – Death

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Blu-rayTM
Digital