By: Malasha Parker
Based on the book by Colleen Hoover, Reminders of Him is a confusing and frustrating film written by Lauren Levine and directed by Vanessa Caswill. The movie displays the struggles and determination of a young woman who just wants to get a chance to be a mother to her child after the horrible tragedy of losing her boyfriend.
Kenna (Maika Monroe) gets released from prison early after being convicted of vehicular manslaughter. She was incarcerated because her boyfriend Scotty (Rudy Pankow) died after a car accident and when they found her she was passed out miles away from the incident, so they thought she fled the scene. The movie begins with flashes of Kenna’s release and Ledger (Tyriq Withers) and Diem’s (Zoey Landry) daily routine. Through the beginning of the movie the audience learns how Ledger has been taking care of Scotty’s daughter and family since his passing. When Kenna comes back into town she meets Ledger before realizing who he is. When Kenna shows up to Scotty’s parents Grace (Lauren Graham) and Patrick’s (Bradley Whitford) house to see Diem, Ledger immediately interferes. He takes Kenna home and the two begin hanging out together. While Scotty’s parents are completely against Kenna meeting Diem, Ledger gets to know Kenna more and feels like keeping the two separated may not be the best idea. Throughout the movie every instance that Kenna has a chance to see or meet with Diem is interrupted by Ledger or she runs from Scotty’s parents. After spending so much time with Ledger, he and Kenna develop a relationship. This causes conflict to arise between Ledger and Scotty’s parents. Eventually, the more Ledger learns about Kenna through her journals it allows him to see that she isn’t the bad person they make her out to be. He works to connect Kenna and Scotty’s parents so that she is allowed to see Diem.
Reminders of Him starts in a way that immediately lets the viewer know where the movie is going to go. This could be a good thing, but with the repetitive storyline throughout the movie makes for a hard to watch film. Though Monroe and Withers try to do their best with the script given, the chemistry is just not there between the characters. When things with the characters become physical, it doesn’t feel earned or authentic but more inevitable because of how the direction to play into the interest of each other has been construed. The storyline constantly keeps Kenna from seeing Diem, which would be okay if it wasn’t unnaturally done. They don’t give a bigger reason as to why Kenna can’t see her daughter even though they never met her before she was pregnant with her and Scotty’s daughter. The lack of interaction between Kenna and Scotty’s parents and her refusal to try to talk to her daughter in more ways than just through Ledger makes it hard to root for anyone in this situation. It just makes watching the movie more frustrating.
Withers gives a great performance and easily acts with every member of the cast. Monroe struggles in some areas, but pulls off the wayward ex-convict who is in search of stability. Her best scenes are when she’s reciting words from her journal and telling stories of Kenna’s relationship with Scotty. The final moments of the film are directed beautifully by Caswill and allow for viewers to see the emotional bonds instantly attach when Kenna finally gets to meet Diem. It would have been great to see more scenes of the two interacting and getting to know each other little by little for a bigger pay off in the end.
Even though this is a book adaptation, the Reminders of Him doesn’t do a great job of making you want to learn more about these characters. Because of its respective nature it causes the movie to drag on for longer than it needs to. It also doesn’t do justice to any of the characters. Ledger and Kenna entering a relationship without much care to the relationship they had with Scotty makes their union feel messy and convoluted. However, the premise of the story makes you want to see how they’ll be able to move forward past their issues. It’s not a must watch film, but it’s there if you’re a fan of Colleen Hoover film adaptations.