Reminders of Him – Budget of $25 million – 1 hour and 54 minutes
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The parole board releases Kenna early because of good behavior. She strolls past Scotty’s memorial and rips it out of the ground. Her boyfriend hated memorials. Now, she hates them too. Kenna walks to Paradise Apartments and pays the first and last months’ rent. She wants to relax but gets on the move. She must find work immediately. She wants to earn a living and make her house a home. If she does, Scotty’s parents may let her see her daughter, Diem, again. After several tries, someone suggests she get a job at the Dollar Den, but it reminds Kenna too much of Scotty. Kenna needs a break and strolls to Scotty’s favorite bookstore.
Former NFL player Ledger visits with Diem. He’s become a surrogate father to the young girl after she lost her dad, Scotty, before she was born. Scotty was his best friend. However, their connection fizzled while he was in the league. Since then, Ledger returned to his parents’ old home across the street. He gladly helps Diem’s grandparents, Richard and Grace, raise her. Years ago, Ledger turned the town’s bookstore into a bar.
Kenna enters Ledger’s bar and orders a caramel coffee. He reminds her that she’s in a bar, but makes her drink without caramel. She pulls out several composition notebooks from her bag and writes a letter to Scotty (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Ledger asks what she’s writing, but Kenna keeps it private. They flirt over her coffee order before she walks out. Ledger sees her notebooks on the stool and takes them to his office. Halfway down the road, Kenna realizes she left them behind. She returns to the bar, and Ledger points her to the back. She exits the back entrance, and Ledger walks her out. Ledger’s smitten with the beautiful woman, but she doesn’t have a phone. She sees his truck and starts to pant. Kenna remembers the truck belonged to Scotty’s best friend. She admits that she is the person responsible for Scotty’s death, and Ledger demands that she leave. She darts home and cries. She fears she will never see Diem again. However, Ledger worries that he’s falling in love with her. Can Kenna rebuild one life without ripping apart another?
Based on Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover, the film’s overarching theme is surviving grief (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). The writer gave every character a struggle. However, she ensures the viewer understands everyone’s perspective, including Scotty’s. Kenna’s torn between what she wants and what Diem needs. Ledger chooses between the family he created and the one he desires. The viewer may disagree with Scott’s parents, but you understand their perspective. This writer has a unique way of creating dynamic characters. This movie puts these actors on a new level. However, the crying is a bit overdone. The passion and rage are believable. The director made an optical choice to make everything bright yellow when Kenna remembered Scotty. Her happiness bursts on the screen. Everything is gray and gloomy when Kenna returns, but the palette slowly changes as Kenna’s enjoyment and acceptance grow. They need each other to escape their grief. This film is caring and beautiful, and it follows the book’s main points.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
If you insist – Scotty
I didn’t read it. Promise – Ledger
I’m the one they blame, and I understand why – Kenna
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Categories: Bradley Whitford, In The Theater, Lainey Wilson, Lauren Graham, maika monroe, movie, Reminders of Him, review, Rudy Pankow, Tyriq Withers
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