1/2
USA 2019
Opening October 17, 2019
Directed by: Bart Freundlich
Writing credits: Bart Freundlich, Susanne Bier, Anders Thomas Jensen
Principal actors: Michelle Williams, Julianne Moore, Abby Quinn, Billy Crudup, Alex Esola
Grace (Abby Quinn) and Jonathan (Alex Esola) are getting married, and her parents could not be happier. Theresa (Julianne Moore), multi-talented and founder of the media giant Horizon, is putting everything on hold until after the weekend. Including meeting with Isabel (Michelle Williams),who is itching to get back to Kolkata, India; still, this in-person meeting is relevant to the orphanage there receiving funding. So, Isabel stays on. She attends the wedding, meets the groom, bride, and father (Billy Crudup), and is flabbergasted. Especially, when she hears Jonathan and Grace’s wedding speeches. Nevertheless, it is after the wedding when truths emerge that impact more than one life.
Co-written with Susanne Bier and Anders Thomas Jensen, director Bart Freundlich’s film about the repercussions of choices made at one point in peoples’ lives effect at a later point in life is an interesting, plausible storyline.Instead, the film is bogged down in melodrama. Besides, it is a remake of the successful same-titled 2006 film by Danish director Susan Bier. Williams is convincing, and we have seen Moore in similar roles, although the Indian scenes are most entertaining. Production values are sound, albeit editing 10-plus minutes off would have helped. The orphan subplot could have been expanded in this version, which might have made the difference needed. Wait for the DVD release, then make some popcorn and curl up on the sofa and enjoy. 110 minutes (.)