Nick Jonas, Brittany Snow, David Arquette, Alexandra Shipp, Matt Walsh, and Elisabeth Shue star in a film by Robert Schwartzman.
Taking a light comic approach, The Good Half follows Nick Jonas home to Cleveland to attend his mother’s funeral. Eventually, some deeper wounds are opened.
Writer Brett Ryland posits that writer Renn Wheeland (Nick Jonas) moved away from home in order to pursue his career. He was more than aware of his mother’s illness during the past two years of her life, yet stayed away at her request when her illness became dire.
That decision will haunt him, of course, as it would anyone in that situation, and he’s not ready to process her death. On the flight home, he meets Zoey (Alexandra Shipp), who is open about a recent event in her life that changed everything. She’s kind and empathetic, but she’s a stranger; Renn is wrestling with his grief, and decides to hide it from her.
Renn is somewhat more open with his sister, Leigh (Brittany Snow), who bore the brunt of caregiving for their mother and really needs him to confront his feelings in a healthier manner than simply moping around the mouse and making weak jokes. Their stepfather, Darren (Matt Walsh), is solid and supportive, while their father, Rick (David Arquette), is pretty much clueless.
The Good Half reflects upon memories of the deceased mother Lily (Elisabeth Shue), as a loving, kind, kinda kooky woman who always had a smile ready for her family, and mostly avoids getting too deep into long held resentments. The performances are all solid, and the production values are very good.
Directed by Robert Schwartzman, the film is polished and easy to watch with the entire family, and may even prove helpful for younger ones who are dealing with the loss of a loved one.
The film is now available to watch via various Video On Demand platforms.
Dallas Film Now. 