The Good Half

You still go into a film like The Good Half hoping that it has something of its own to say on the pains of bereavement. Instead, it just lands like a medley of similar (often, better) films that came before it.

"The Good Half" is desperate to say something profound about the thorny nature of grief ... But there's nothing new here that hasn't been cribbed from better, or even just earlier, texts.

Snow, as the daughter who always played second fiddle, brings real feeling to her role — suggesting that she may in fact be the good half of this insipid drama.

The more it shoots for sincerity, the more it wallows in sentimentality.

Throughout the film, there’s a clear struggle to say something profound about grief, but the impact falls flat. Despite its well-intentioned message, a weak screenplay and average direction drain the film of its emotional weight.

I have never been through something as dark as what occurs in The Good Half, but it happens to be one of the most relatable films I’ve seen in recent years.

The performances are all solid, and the production values are very good. ... Polished and easy to watch with the entire family, and may even prove helpful for younger ones who are dealing with the loss of a loved one.

This dramedy about death and grieving is sometimes a bit rough going, with certain scenes landing uncomfortably, but as it moves along, it deftly and touchingly finds its emotional balance.

Never moved me.

One can appreciate the good motives at work here, and Jonas’ desire to stretch, but the movie is a dramedy in which the balance never gels.... The final mixture is more off-putting than insightful or engaging.