Reminders of Him is a romance drama that succeeds in pulling the heartstrings and even has a bit of humor and hope. Kenna Rowan (played by Maika Monroe) returns to her hometown after serving seven years in prison for the death of her boyfriend, Scotty Landry (played by Rudy Pankow). She’s resolved to meet her daughter, and a chance meeting with Ledger Ward (played by Tyriq Withers), Scotty’s childhood best friend, paves a bumpy way for her while a romance develops. The plot is simple and emotional, although not especially gripping. Adapted from Colleen Hoover’s 2022 novel, Reminders of Him is told substantially through a journal of letters that Kenna writes to Scotty. It’s perhaps an overused device, but the letters do reveal Kenna’s character in a way that the other central characters needed.
Reminders of Him has beautiful scenery and symbolic imagery that make contemplative, quiet moments work. They do a lot of the heavy lifting, setting the film’s moods, but it’s not quite enough to overcome what’s missing from the story. Monroe does a good job of portraying Kenna’s determination and grit. Despite hers and Withers’s dramatic efforts, though, Kenna and Ledger are hindered by dull dialogue. Their romance is stitched together with loss and guilt, the tragic connection giving the film drama. But, the pair doesn’t have the depth of chemistry that would have made Kenna’s claim that Ledger makes her happy a more believable one.
Grace and Patrick Landry, (played by Lauren Graham and Bradley Whitford), are doting grandparents who raise Kenna’s daughter Diem. The characters are short on dimension and dialogue, despite being so influential to the conflicts. There are good performances that help relieve tension and seem to poke fun at the silliness of this story. Nicholas Duvernay plays Roman, who is employed at Ledger’s bar, and shines in most of his scenes. So does Monika Myers, who plays Lady Diana, Kenna’s outspoken neighbor and coworker.
Although this film leaves a lot that feels unanswered- like all of Kenna’s past before meeting Scotty and much of Ledger’s past, too- Reminders of Him does look closely at guilt, the bonds of motherhood, and the trauma of loss. With those emotions to contend with, the ending may not be overly happy, but might be a version of happiness that adapts to these characters’ circumstances better than this latest Colleen Hoover book-to-film adaptation.
This film is in theaters March 13th. I rate it a (2/4) 🍿
