To Gillian on her 37th Birthday
(C or 2/4 stars)
Today I critique 'To Gillian on her 37th Birthday', directed by Michael Pressman. David loves his wife, Gillian, very much. Unfortunately, she died 2 yrs. ago ... on her birthday. That said, she still lingers around their home. This is because David (Peter Gallagher) can't seem to let her go. They were the perfect couple; the couple other couples wish they could be like. But since her death, David hasn't been able to think clearly; living his life a sort of recluse. He does the best he can for his teen daughter, Rachel (Claire Danes). But things have not been running smoothly on that front. David also refuses to consider any female relationship whatsoever. It is when he gets particularly lonely when Gillian apparates herself to him. They continue their romance by walking together along the beach. This is how he deals with his grief. Doesn't sound overly healthy, does it? Can David still live in the past while all his loved one's face problems in the present?
Issues of life & death are very difficult to handle on film; one of the few successes I can remember is 1990's Ghost. Not only is it tricky (because we don't know for sure about the afterlife), but it's always easier to both make and/or watch straight comedies or straight dramas. 'Life & death' movies also fall prey to melodramatic moments (both over-the-top and subtle). And this film is no different. Because the David/Gillian post-mortem relationship is so gut-wrenching, the emotions that come from the characters feels too forced, at times. We want to cry (some of us will), but it's not overly genuine.
Now, those issues aside, not everything in 'To Gillian ...' is that bad. I enjoyed Peter Gallagher's portrayal as David. He's likeable, & you really feel for him. To me, the best scenes in the film are the ones where David & Gillian are 'together'. Claire Danes has her moments, but I wasn't sold on her as Rachel. And the relationship with Gallagher's David - while having it's stellar moments - is not handled as well as I'd have liked (depth/interest). David & Rachel really needed some scenes with them trying to work out their problems. It seemed essential to the story. We don't see enough of them because there are a plethora of other subplot/characters to follow throughout the proceedings.
I didn't mind the addition of Kevin (Wendy Crewson), a woman set up as a date for David. Hers is a superfluous role, but their scenes were pleasant & insightful enough. But we get way too much of Gillian's sister & her husband (Kathy Baker, Bruce Altman); and too much of David's flirtatious neighbor (Laurie Fortier). I know that they are necessary to the plot (serve as contrasts to David & Gillian), but I just didn't care for them. And Kathy Baker - who I normally enjoy - is highly unlikeable, here. Bitter. So, yeah, minor characters prevented the main ones from being as complex as they should have been. There isn't even a big emotional payoff in the end. At various times, I felt sad, happy, frustrated, soothed ... but I was never fulfilled. All hat said, the film is not awful. And it may strike a chord with certain audiences; those who accept earnest, sappy sentiment more willingly than I.
Issues of life & death are very difficult to handle on film; one of the few successes I can remember is 1990's Ghost. Not only is it tricky (because we don't know for sure about the afterlife), but it's always easier to both make and/or watch straight comedies or straight dramas. 'Life & death' movies also fall prey to melodramatic moments (both over-the-top and subtle). And this film is no different. Because the David/Gillian post-mortem relationship is so gut-wrenching, the emotions that come from the characters feels too forced, at times. We want to cry (some of us will), but it's not overly genuine.
Now, those issues aside, not everything in 'To Gillian ...' is that bad. I enjoyed Peter Gallagher's portrayal as David. He's likeable, & you really feel for him. To me, the best scenes in the film are the ones where David & Gillian are 'together'. Claire Danes has her moments, but I wasn't sold on her as Rachel. And the relationship with Gallagher's David - while having it's stellar moments - is not handled as well as I'd have liked (depth/interest). David & Rachel really needed some scenes with them trying to work out their problems. It seemed essential to the story. We don't see enough of them because there are a plethora of other subplot/characters to follow throughout the proceedings.
I didn't mind the addition of Kevin (Wendy Crewson), a woman set up as a date for David. Hers is a superfluous role, but their scenes were pleasant & insightful enough. But we get way too much of Gillian's sister & her husband (Kathy Baker, Bruce Altman); and too much of David's flirtatious neighbor (Laurie Fortier). I know that they are necessary to the plot (serve as contrasts to David & Gillian), but I just didn't care for them. And Kathy Baker - who I normally enjoy - is highly unlikeable, here. Bitter. So, yeah, minor characters prevented the main ones from being as complex as they should have been. There isn't even a big emotional payoff in the end. At various times, I felt sad, happy, frustrated, soothed ... but I was never fulfilled. All hat said, the film is not awful. And it may strike a chord with certain audiences; those who accept earnest, sappy sentiment more willingly than I.