Jump to the good stuff: The Story | Some Thoughts | The Final Verdict
The Story:
Good Grief is a drama about a man mourning the loss of his husband.
The film opens during a Christmas party thrown by Marc (Daniel Levy) and his husband Oliver (Luke Evans). Oliver has to leave the party early for a book signing in Paris. Before leaving, he tells Marc how much he means to him, then hands him a card and says that they have lots to discuss when he returns.
Marc watches Oliver get into a cab, then goes inside and joins his friends Sophie (Ruth Negga) and Thomas (Himesh Patel). Sophie mentions that her boyfriend, Terrance (Jamael Westman), asked her to move in with him, but she doesn’t know if she will.
Sirens are heard from the street, and Terrance looks out the window to get a view of the commotion. Marc joins him and sees that the cab that Oliver had taken was in an accident. He rushes out to the scene to discover that Oliver is dead.
The film then advances a month later for Oliver’s funeral, then six months, then settles on the approaching anniversary of Oscar’s death. This is when Marc finally reads the card Oliver had given him that fatal evening and discovers that Oliver was in love with another man. And that is where the drama begins.
Some Thoughts:
Daniel Levy’s directorial debut is the story of a wealthy man grieving for his husband for a year only to discover that their relationship may not have been all he’d thought. This could easily have turned into a shallow, soapy mess, but instead it’s thoughtful and well written.
Levy, who also wrote the screenplay, has an ear for dialogue and the talent to pull off directing and starring in his own film. The visuals are understated, and nothing is rushed or overly explained, which makes it feel honest and true.
Marc’s best friends, Sophie and Thomas, are opposites and keep the story balanced. Where Thomas sees Marc as someone to aspire to, Sophie is too absorbed in herself to compare her world to his. Thomas is more apt to tell Marc what he wants to hear, while Sophie will say how she feels. Thomas keeps himself buttoned up, and Sophie is a bit of a mess.
Both Negga and Patel play their characters to the hilt. Of the two friends, Thomas is the more nuanced. He and Marc dated for a bit, then became close friends. This gives their relationship a little extra depth. Also, there are moments when it seems as if Thomas is still in love with Marc, so I wish that aspect had been explored a bit more.
Celia Imre is perfect as Imelda, Marc and Oscar’s estate agent or financial consultant, it’s not clear. She discusses finances with Marc, but also keeping his estate and savings safe. When Imre mentions the renewal coming up for the lease on the pied-à-terre in Paris, she’s surprised to discover that Marc doesn’t know about it. After all, the spending was for two, so she’d assumed Marc was the second person. It’s a deliciously awkward scene that only an accomplished actor can pull off well.
Marc is the same aloof and goofy schmo that Levy has played many times before and does so well. As an actor, Levy may not have range, but he is consistent.
The Final Verdict:
Despite being about loss, Good Grief isn’t a downer. There are no emotional highs and lows, but the story will hold your attention.