The Rest of Us

I didn't think I'd enjoy The Rest of Us but I decided to take a chance on it. I love how the film evolved and how in such a short amount of time (90 minutes) the four characters connected. Several times I reflected on how I would handle a situation like this. I'd like to believe I'd handle it with the same grace as Cami but I don't know.

A man dies, leaving behind his wife, ex-wife, and a daughter from each of them. Circumstances force the two women (Heather Graham and Jodi Balfour) and their daughters together, where they sift through their feelings and try to cope with changes in their life. In the case of what was his current family, they're now homeless, and his older daughter is considering dropping out of college.

There's enough here to spend 80 minutes of your time, but I have to say, I was disappointed in how little the film explored the emotions of these characters. There are a couple of moments that felt raw and real, but in aggregate it felt pretty shallow and sugar-coated. I liked the quiet tone of it and the casting choices, but the character motivations didn't ring true. As for the ending, perhaps if the film had been fleshed out and I had been taken on a darker journey along the way I might have gone for it, but as it was, it just seemed too simple and easy.

Loved this film. Uplifting story with strong characters. Scenery and music fit perfectly.

Heather graham like I have not seen her before.

The Rest of Us is a subtle, character-driven drama that explores grief, complicated relationships, and resilience. While the film doesn't reinvent the genre, it manages to deliver an intimate and heartfelt story with moments of genuine emotion.

Heather Graham gives one of her strongest performances, bringing depth and nuance to her role. She effortlessly balances vulnerability and strength, making her character both relatable and compelling. The chemistry between the cast members adds to the authenticity of the film's emotional weight, even when the story itself feels somewhat predictable.

Though the pacing is slow at times and the narrative doesn't take many risks, The Rest of Us remains an engaging watch, thanks to its strong performances and quiet yet impactful storytelling. It may not be groundbreaking, but it's a well-acted drama worth watching.

Overall the movie was pretty good. I don't feel the actresses had a chance to shine as much as they could have. It was a slow start and then a rushed ending. Just when it started getting interesting there was only about 30 minutes left. I think it would have made a good TV show. Overall I was left wanting. I believe this really had a lot of potential that was wasted.