Wristcutters: A Love Story

Starring: Patrick Fugit, Shannon Sossamon, Will Arnett, Tom Waits, Leslie Bibb, Shea Whigham
Directed by: Goran Dukic
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
2006

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Zia (Patrick Fugit) commits suicide and finds himself in a sort of limbo, unable to die and stuck "living" a mediocre existence. He joins forces with a Russian (Shea Whigham) and a hitchhiker (Shannon Soussamon) as he tries to find his ex-girlfriend, the reason he committed suicide in the first place, and who did the same soon after.

Review:

Tim: I was excited to see this movie because it was so refreshingly unique. The whole movie takes place in an odd limbo world populated by people who have committed suicide. While this world seems similar to our world, it is definitely and completely different. While our protagonists search through this world, we find out much about them and the place they inhabit. Best of all, the film is really a love story in the middle of all this craziness. Very, very interesting.

The movie starts out strongly, and we're very entertained as we learn the limits and rules of this oddball world. The movie also wisely gives us laugh after laugh, and it is good. Now, the movie begins very well, and works well for a while. However, it starts to fall apart a bit. The plot, which was at once unique and edgy, soon descends into silliness. By the film's conclusion, we're not sure what to think any more. Yes, the movie is certainly refreshingly different. But, being different isn't enough. The film doesn't work well from start to finish, and that is a shame.

Patrick Fugit does a fairly good job in the lead role. He's not a bad actor, and although he isn't overwhelmingly charismatic, he is still enjoyable. Shannon Sossamon is fine, but I've never been a big fan of her. She is never as good as she needs to be. Shea Whigham gives one of the best and most entertaining performances of the film. I really enjoyed him. The rest of the cast is lackluster, especially Will Arnett, who is just annoying and stupid.

Now, Wristcutters: A Love Story does a good job of giving us a different take on romance, and for that, I am grateful. However, the movie doesn't make too much of an emotional impact, especially at the film's conclusion. In the end, the movie feels less amazingly refreshing, and more gimmicky than it needed to be. I enjoyed parts of it, but thought it could have and should have been so much better.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 6



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Almost Famous, Everything is Illuminated