Just Before I Go

"My life had been a complete failure sure, but at least I could get my death right." Ted (Scott) has given up. His marriage has just fallen apart and he is left with only one option. He is returning to his hometown to tell off his old teacher, fight the man that bullied him in school and then kill himself. After finding the teacher, things don't go as planned and he starts to re-think his plan. This movie is surprising. It is at once funny, sad and entertaining. I expected this to be a very funny movie, and while it had its funny parts the movie is much more sweet and heartfelt that I expected. This deals with some very heavy issues, but in a way that it doesn't seem preachy or in your face about it. I did like this but it wasn't what I was expecting, not that that is a bad thing. Overall, a funny and heartfelt movie that wasn't what I thought it was going to be. It was better. I give it a B.

"i'm gay, dad, not blind."

I love this movie. Realised on the second viewing how much of an ensemble this is, as the script is concerned with the lives Scott's central character touches on his journey to suicide. The cast is amazing. Scott is at a career best here, with Thirlby, Dillahunt, Walsh and Riggle bringing so much life to their characters. It's a beautiful script from Flebotte, at times hilarious and moving, and Cox manages the tone perfectly. Easily one of my favourites.

What can I say about this movie, well it had really crude juvenile humour that I did not find funny and never do. For example: making "retard" Jokes. Courtney Cox (director) seems to be self aware however and even has characters say; "actually I find that offensive" That doesn't correct a bad joke, it's more saying my bad, we didn't have something better to say... The film did have a good message, but it could have been presented with less sharp edges.

This should have plummeted my rating of the film except for the fact I really liked the main characters. Scott is a likable guy and I have never disliked him in anything. I have also gone through my own depression in life so I identified with his character and the message of relishing what is good in life. Olivia Thirlby may also be the sweetest woman alive! I quite liked her character and they have good chemistry together..

But hey, this is no masterpiece, it's full of bad humour that just isn't funny... You can pretty much guess the outcome of every plot line. But its got likable characters and it didn't drag..

Overall: Enjoyable easy going film, with some faults.

Excellent character creation, simple but thought provoking concepts.

Those expecting something like American Pie will be disappointed, its kind of more a movie for grownups.

Dramatic comedies are super hard to get right. Too much humor and the drama is overshadowed, too much drama and not enough laughs and the humor seems totally misplaced. The mix here, is really well done.

The humanity of everyone involved was awesome.

I was expecting a lot less, I just got watched it as a time killer and was so pleasantly surprised. In the same week I watched Jupiter Rising which was kind of the opposite quality.

Characters you didn't care about. A ridiculous plot that required all common sense being suspended.

After reading the synopsis... I thought that I guessed the whole plot, that it would be cheesy and just bad. I'm happy to admit that I way totally wrong. I loved it. The crass jokes worked, the bad jokes were "so -bad-they're-good" and the good jokes, well... can you see the pattern?

This was a heartfelt touching "dark" comedy that still remained light. It touched the larger subjects with ease, the smaller subjects with humor and the all around goodness of the movie came through.

I cried at the end, which isn't something new since I cry at all touching movies (good or bad just as long as the moral is well portrayed), but it was a "good cry". Common ladies, you know what I'm talking about here, don't leave me hanging. Just a really good flick. Way to go Courtney Cox, was not expecting that at all...