“Reminders of Him” follows Kenna, who hopes to rebuild her life and reunite with her daughter after being released from prison.
It’s clear that Colleen Hoover adaptations aren’t for me. After last year’s “Regretting You,” expectations were extremely low going into “Reminders of Him.” Despite including the same teen-adjacent comedy, this film actually packs a punch of heart.
“Reminders of Him” is a classic redemption story – just with a lot of twists and turns. And it’s not one-dimensional either, with the story covering grief, motherhood and love.
Within the confines of these themes, “Reminders of Him” flourishes. What comes after tragedy? You have to find a way to keep living. This is the epitome of the movie, and with every development it hammers home this message.
Story With Too Many Detours
There is a phenomenal movie within “Reminders of Him,” but not necessarily in this cut. It’s good. But the film focuses on fantasy over reality far too much, undercutting the emotional impact in the process.
Inside the 114-minute runtime, there are too many underutilized characters and unrealistic subplots. Monika Myers (Lady Diana) steals almost every scene she appears in. Yet “Reminders of Him” completely abandons her character in the final act. With such an intricate storyline, there are also inevitable logic leaps. For the most part, the film uses these for comedy. Time and time again, “Reminders of Him” feels more like a skit than the hardened drama it should be.
These tonal clashes are evident from the very start. Narration is key to the beginning of “Reminders of Him” – and it doesn’t work. The words don’t resonate the way they would on the page. Instead, they feel like a gimmicky way to push the plot forward.
Maika Monroe’s (Kenna) performance is a big part of this. For large portions of the film, her delivery falls flat. In part, this is because of the nature of her character. But it can also come across as unnatural. This is particularly evident in the early narration, making the opening minutes hard to watch.
Chemistry That Elevates the Film
Eventually, though, “Reminders of Him” finds its footing. And so does Monroe. This is mostly because of the electric chemistry between her and Tyriq Withers (Ledger). Whether you’re a fan of his most recent entries – “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and “Him” – or not, it’s clear that Withers is on the rise. And it’s deserved.
The film’s most impactful moments rely on his performance, which is full of subtle emotion. His character allows Monroe’s to become more fully fleshed out, making her performance feel more authentic as well. The pair create a connection that is easy to root for, even with all the complicated consequences it creates.
Even the narration becomes more effective as the movie draws to a close. “Reminders of Him” almost grows alongside the central character, with director Vanessa Caswill showing restraint to keep the story grounded.
Strong Ensemble and Setting
The supporting cast is solid as well, with Bradley Whitford (Patrick), Lauren Graham (Grace), Nicholas Duvernay (Roman) and Zoe Kosovic (Diem) delivering memorable turns.
A mountainous, rural backdrop complements the themes inside “Reminders of Him.” Director of photography Tim Ives captures the landscape well. Though some close-ups are a bit too in-your-face, distracting during key character conversations.
After the disastrous “Regretting You,” this is a pleasant surprise in the never-ending world of Colleen Hoover adaptations. “Reminders of Him” is a serviceable romantic drama that knows its audience.
Rating: 3 out of 5
