PremiumHere’s how Dan Levy’s directorial debut is a slow portrayal of loss that hits the right chords
The Schitt’s Creek star Dan Levy made a mark with his latest film which was released globally on Netflix on the 5th of January.
Last Updated: 10.27 PM, Jan 05, 2024
The Schitt’s Creek star Dan Levy made a mark with his latest film which was released globally on Netflix on the 5th of January. It had a limited theatrical release a few days ago on selected US movie screens. Here’s a brief intro about the movie and what makes it one of the key movies that helps process loss and bereavement with a breadth of calmness and peace.
About ‘Good Grief’
The story begins at a Christmas party that later turns to mourning when Oliver (Luke Evans) dies in a car accident and leaves Mark (Dan Levy) reeling with the loss of his beloved husband. The rest of the story follows the uneasiness that is left behind as he treads on a grieving trip to deal with unresolved feelings with two of his best friends, Sophie (Ruth Negga), and Thomas (Himesh Patel)
ALSO READ: Good Grief’s creator Dan Levy dubs his latest as the ‘love letter to grief and friendship’
What makes it a good watch?
Dan Levy’s directorial feature is a slow but steady portrayal of personal loss that showcases how one deals with grief in disparate ways. Taking the multiple roles as a director, writer, and star of the film – Dan Levy attempts to delve into the void of feelings that are left inside the heart of the protagonist Mark as he loses his beloved husband Oliver. It’s a modern take on marriage that features several homosexual couples, like gay marriage, lesbian marriage, gay partners, and hookups. The Christmas feeling at the beginning of the movie takes you back to the wintery celebration of December 25 as the friends sing and dance to songs.
The story deals with heavy themes with a tint of madcap humor to minimize the hyper emotions and keeps the narrative flowing.
Another aspect is the portrayal of art to process sadness and grief. When Mark’s mother dies he takes the grief by quitting any form of painting but ironically it is the art as a painter that brings him the peace to handle emotional sentiments and is the true healer just like time. The movie also beautifully exemplifies what true friends mean in life. In Good Grief – Sophie and Thomas are like two separate horcruxes (part of one's life) who invest 365 days of their lives to accompany their bestie in the grieving process in a heartbeat.
Stream it to resonate with grief and personal crisis in Dan Levy’s film that keeps you hooked even in a shorter span of 1 hour 40 minutes run time.