Daniel Adams (Morgan Freeman) is brought together with Allison Johnson (Florence Pugh), the once thriving young woman with a bright future who was involved in an unimaginable tragedy that took his daughter's life.As grief-stricken Daniel navigates raising his teenage granddaughter, Ryan (Celeste O'Connor) and Allison seeks redemption, they discover that friendship, forgiveness, and hope can flourish in unlikely places. Both Allison and Daniel's families are pulled through the ringer through this tragedy and the consequences thereof.
Others to round out the cast are Molly Shannon as Diane Johnson, Allison's mother, Chimaza Liche as Nathan Adams, Daniel's son, Ignacio Diaz Silverio as Quinn, Zoe Lister-Jones as Simone, Toby Onwumere as Jesse, Nichelle Hines as Molly, Oli Green as Thomas, Alex Wolff as Mark and Brian Rojas as Diego.
This was directed with such pathos and soberness by Zach Braff ("Garden State" '04, "Night Life" (TV movie) '08, "Wish I Was Here" '14, "Self Promotion" (TV movie) '15, "Going in Style" '17) plus TV, shorts and a music video. Considering Braff directed and wrote this film, he either 1) was an addict himself, or 2) he's known those that have been addicted, because the subtle nuances that Pugh went through were so realistic on her road to addiction. The intensity (subtle or overt) of these characters were delineated with such precision that almost made you cringe. Certainly the actors, especially Freeman and Pugh, are amazing, however it is still the talented directing that carries this film. This was also incredibly well written by Zach Braff ("Garden State" '04, "Wish I Was Here" '14) plus shorts. Again, Braff was amazing in his screenplay in delineating what an addict goes through and is able to showcase that not all addicts are strung out on elicit drugs, but a vast many people become addicted while on prescribed drugs--usually for being injured, i.e. a fall, vehicle accident, etc. His script was cohesive, sequenced properly, concise and gave the audience that feeling of hopelessness for these characters, but also a sense of redemption for them as well.
When going to the multiplex to see this, keep in mind that you're not necessarily seeing this film for the entertainment factor as much as for the heavy message that lines the story. I think all people can relate to this subject matter in that we have either been are are still addicts, or know of someone (either friend or family) that has been or are still addicts, so this should hit home with many. It's sobering and a painstakingly incredible perspective of addiction that will produce many questions. Also, the other reason for seeing this is for the amazing craft (acting, directing and writing). Kudos to Braff for giving us an incredible expose on an otherwise ignored subject.
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: R 128mins.
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