A very interesting, but also problematic in parts, film about the very specific grief process of an unsuspecting father. Seven years after the original film LONGING (2017), which was shot in Hebrew, Israeli director Savi GABIZON was able to make an English-language version for the North American cinema market.
Richard GERE plays the wealthy businessman Daniel, who suddenly learns that he has had a son for 19 years, but that he has just died in a car accident. He travels to his deceased son's hometown and learns a lot about his life through encounters with various people. Daniel often acts intrusively, presumptuously, and embarrassingly. This, of course, fits wonderfully with a character who is irresponsible, emotionally traumatized, and simultaneously lacking in distance. Some plot lines are difficult to bear. One example: Daniel's son was madly in love with his French teacher (Diane KRUGER), whom he stalked day and night in a transgressive manner. German actress Diane Kruger plays this teacher, whose professional dedication is misunderstood, very vividly and convincingly. In a dream sequence, however, the film depicts this teacher larger than life as a sexual projection screen for father and son, which comes across as extremely embarrassing and inappropriate. Similar borderline scenes occur elsewhere in the film, which detracts from a better rating of this otherwise well-made film.
As a portrait of a thoroughly typical contemporary who serves as a symbol of irresponsibility, inability to commit, and lack of distance, the film is quite successful. However, the director doesn't tell it that way, as he still shows too much sympathy for his main character. Thus, the film about the misguided grieving process of a questionable personality remains a mixed pleasure.
