VividSimon Simply Perfect

KnotStronger This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

Kaelan Mccaffrey Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

Fleur Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

mattias_fr A fantastic ensemble and a touching story. I really enjoyed watching this movie and as a father I cannot imagine anything worse than losing a child. But it's more to this movie than that, see it!

tor-22 I read a few of the reviews on here, some raves and some pans. It is obvious that this is one of those films that jars you one way or the other. Some are over the moon with the emotional connection of the movie. Others don't connect to it at all. I am of the former, over the moon. I watched it on a plane and found myself in tears by the end, but because I felt hope, absolute unadulterated hope. It's not about death, though some have said as much. It's not about money or acting or any of that. It's about life and the reason to go on, irrespective of what tragedy we face or what difficulty we're going through. It's about finding purpose in a seemingly purposeless world. I think some people see the all-star cast and expect something more that a character driven idea, but the best films connect with their viewers and nothing more. This film jarred me out of myself and made me think that faith in the universe is not such a bad idea. I won't disparage those that didn't get it/connect to it or the jaded viewers who think a deeply emotional film is innately laced with cheese. I will only say that very few films make you think and this one did all that and more.

The Movie Diorama I can see the intentions of the story, I admire the subject that it's trying to tackle (that being child loss). Somehow, this fell short and unfortunately is a mess. Howard has a promising start to life. Tragically though, he loses his daughter to an illness and slowly his life begins to crumble. He writes letters to three abstractions of life: Love, Death and Time. His work colleagues notice this, and hire three actors to portray the physical representations of these abstractions in an attempt to help him...therapeutically I guess. That's all well and good, but when you use grief and bereavement as a plot device it should be handled with care. In this, they make the protagonist feel like he has mental issues so that his "friends" can continue working in the company. Call me old fashioned or sensible, but that's not ok. Suffering is a horrible process, Will Smith excellently conveys this and actually makes quite a powerful performance. Yet, beneath the narrative is this weird jolly undertone that makes it seem like you're watching a romantic comedy. If this was made ten or twenty years ago, it could've had a place. Now though? No. Evidently what attracted audiences was its stellar cast consisting of Will Smith, Kate Winslet, Helen Mirren, Edward Norton, Naomie Harris, Keira Knightley...and more! It just keeps going! To be fair to them, they were all good. The preachy script about time, love and death just doesn't help them. Literally. "I wish I had more time so I can love and not fear death, but time is running out and time time timeeeeeee." Then the last five minutes happen and it's just nonsensical. Direction was solid, the whole film was well shot and was nice to look at. But...not enough I'm afraid. Watchable, it's not entirely a collateral mess. Oh, and what even is Collateral Beauty!? Stupid title. What's worse, is that they try to explain it in the film. Urghhhhh.

kjnyr This movie was a complete surprise in that I didn't expect to love it. Not long into it I figured out the hook, but it was all well done and completely worth my time. Beautiful piece of artwork. Cathartic, poignant, emotional. Well done.