My Dead Friend Zoe

Soooo...I went to see this film at AMC's Scream Unseen, which is exclusively for horror flicks. So that was upsetting, this home is absolutely not horror in any way shape or form. Secondly, since it was an early release the director begins the film with telling you about his newest dark comedy. This is assuredly not a dark comedy or even funny at any point. With that out of the way, this is a film about and for veterans and addressing the higher suicide rate of those who have served our country. Of course this is an important topic and I appreciate the directors and writers who made the film. Unfortunately there isn't much here till about 70 minutes into the film. More of a slice of life that happens to have veterans in the film. I would wait to stream this film. Not really worth a romp to the theatre.

Throughout this movie I felt there was something missing or wrong with the entire premise or story line.

After some time thinking things over and re-watching the movie, I think I know what it is: It really shouldn't be a comedy.

The subject matter is important and I think it would have been much more effective had the movie been entirely dramatic.

The story of a multi-generational military family - having made sacrifices for the country at great personal cost - should be told with more seriousness.

I do understand the artistic choice to use an imaginary dead friend as a story device. But I think it could have been done well even without the comedy.

Still, the acting was very good. And I'm glad Sonequa Martin-Green got to be lead in a movie that has nothing to do with Star Trek.

The positive reviews and the unique general concept intrigued me enough to convince me to see "My Dead Friend Zoe." What could go wrong with a dramedy about a war veteran who sees her dead army friend? I knew nothing would go wrong, but I'm surprised it's way more complex, thought-provoking, emotionally moving, and mesmerizing.

First, the performances were incredible. Legends Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris were almost guaranteed to deliver, but the central duo - Sonequa Martin-Green and Natalie Morales as Merit and the titular Zoe - bring outstanding work. Merit is a tragic figure attempting to move on with her life post-war, which is uprooted by the simple fact that she sees the movie's namesake. Who I expected to be a hilarious character was to an extent, but Zoe's more than just that. That said, Morales outshines Martin-Green by being incredibly entertaining.

Next, Kyle Hausmann-Stokes does fantastic work directing- and script-wise alongside A. J. Bermudez and Cherish Chen. Their work makes the narrative much more simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking than it had any right to be, and it's more the latter. They didn't mess around in developing the seemingly silly premise into a strong piece that covers topics like PTSD. Even Zoe's inclusion and ensuing backstory are more shocking than I ever anticipated. I can't spoil it, as not knowing it beforehand will enhance the gut punch hinted at throughout the film.

Though it inarguably is a dramedy, it's more of a drama than a comedy. Admittedly, there are many solid jokes, mainly from Zoe, but the drama makes this movie what it is. Completely leaning into the comedic qualities would've lessened its overall impact.

Finally, the 1-hour and 43-minute runtime never wastes or bores. Every moment enriches the already rich narrative and its effect on others, which I appreciate immensely.

"My Dead Friend Zoe" should've made the Top 10 during its opening weekend because it deserved it. It's worthy of your attention for its uniqueness alone, but its unanticipated direction will grip you.

Technically, the acting, directing, and screenplay make for a 10/10 technical score.

For the enjoyment score, I loved it! It's far from an easy watch, but it's worth it for its authentic heart and earnest depiction of PTSD. As a bonus, Sonequa Martin-Green and Natalie Morales are so exceptional as Merit and Zoe that they make this a must-watch alone. For those reasons, "My Dead Friend Zoe" gets a 10/10 enjoyment score! Please check this gem out in theaters!

While I can understand why some might have a real connection to this movie and rate it a 10 for that reason (ie you served in the military (thank you for your service), lost someone close to you, or had to deal with putting an elderly family member in an assisted living home against their will), this movie isn't an Oscar worthy film. At the same time it isn't a "1" , worth walking out on, not by a long shot.

Like many I saw this movie as it was playing as the Screen Unseen, Monday movie of the week (love this idea by the way). The script is ok, not terribly deep or thought provoking. There are some cute, funny moments scattered about, but not sure I'd put this in the dark comedy category.

Morgan Freeman isn't used very effectively as some scenes cried out for more interaction between him and the lead character. Without that character depth, anyone could have played that role as meaningfully as he did, which wasn't very.

The ending could have used a little more fleshing out of some details to really deliver. It wasn't bad, and it gets its point across just fine. But overall that's what this movie is, it's just there and it's just fine. That's not a terrible thing, but it's not an amazing thing either.

That said, I am glad I saw it and I enjoyed it.

"Think very seriously about whether living in the past is worth it." Dr. Cole (Morgan Freeman)

Anyone who has ever lost a close relative or friend can identify immediately the signs of sorrow, be it enhanced by post-traumatic syndrome disorder or just monumental grief. Throw in some gallows humor, and you have an intellectually-rich and entertaining experience.

Merit (Sonequa Martin-Green), an ex-GI out of Afghanistan, needs to heed the doctor's advice, for remembrance of her best friend, Zoe (Natalie Morales), from that war haunts her constantly, therefore, the title, My Dead Friend Zoe. The film is a testimony to first-rate filmmaking with a topic that sometimes leads to dark comedy and at others deeply-felt universal angst.

The humor comes mostly from Zoe, often in scenes where she appears only to Merit with gallows humor that might be merited from a dead vet. When she calls Merit's court-ordered group therapy "kumbaya" nonsense and requests watching M*A*S*H again but not as a drinking game, writer/director Kyle Hausmann Stokes (who partially cites his own experience) and co-writer A. J. Bermudez emphasize the personal therapy Zoe applies through sarcasm and disrespect, a regimen Merit accepts no more than therapy and the doctor's wisdom.

A change agent is Merit's Vietnam vet uncle Dale (Ed Harris), a no-nonsense, retired-Lt.-Colonel also on the downslide from early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Both need each other to become whole, but this change does not happen easily or early. The slow pace of the film matches the slow pace of both heroes' rehab.

Like his broken birdfeeder and the war machines she repaired in the service, rehab is the dominant motif, where even the minor characters, like Merit's potential love interest, Alex (Utkarsh Ambudkar), who discovers her amid the restrictive social world of his family-owned retirement home. While her family's lake house in Oregon is the perfect place Zoe characterizes as starter for a horror film, it turns out to be a heavenly spot to grow, sans the distractions of modern displacements.

My Dead Friend Zoe is an enjoyable start to the post-Oscars season-let's hope for more elegant small films like it in the next few months.