Review of ‘Reminders of Him’: Why Logic Takes a Back Seat in This Colleen Hoover Adaptation
In “Reminders of Him,” a poignant drama directed by Vanessa Vaswill, protagonist Kenna, portrayed by Maika Monroe, grapples with the haunting loss of her fiancé, Scotty Landry (Rudy Pankow), who died tragically in a car accident. The film opens with Kenna defiantly rejecting a makeshift memorial for Scotty, reflecting her complex relationship with grief. As she returns home after serving five years in prison, Kenna expresses a longing for redemption, contemplating whether she might ever be forgiven for her past mistakes.
Throughout the film, Kenna struggles with the weight of her past. After her release, she rents a room and ponders, “Maybe then they’ll let me see her,” referring to her daughter, Diem, who was born while she was incarcerated. The narrative slowly reveals that Kenna was driving under the influence at the time of the accident that claimed Scotty’s life. Diem is now living with her grandparents, Grace and Patrick, while Ledger (Tyriq Withers), a close friend of Scotty, keeps a watchful eye on her.
The storyline oscillates between past and present, intensifying when Kenna unexpectedly encounters Ledger at his bar, a former bookstore significant to both her and Scotty. Curiously, despite their close ties, Ledger has never met Kenna before and only knows her from a mugshot he saw after her arrest, a point that remains unresolved in the film.
As Ledger learns Kenna’s identity, he chooses to support her, serving as a buffer against the disapproval of Scotty’s parents. They harbor intense grief and bitterness, often reminding Ledger that “She left him there.” Kenna’s attempt to find solace in Ledger grows, especially as he grapples with his own troubled past, which includes a wedding that fell through due to his bond with Diem.
However, significant questions linger regarding the hostility Kenna faces from Diem’s grandparents. Ledger points to her courtroom demeanor as a source of their disdain, suggesting that her failure to project grief may be an issue. As the plot unfolds, fundamental questions arise: Can Ledger manage the tension, and will Kenna ever reunite with her daughter?
Visually, “Reminders of Him” presents a stark contrast between present-day scenes and flashbacks to the night of the accident, capturing a blend of vibrancy and sorrow. Despite the film’s sentimentality, the performances maintain a sense of gravity, reminiscent of previous Colleen Hoover adaptations such as “Regretting You.” The dialogue can feel stilted, raising speculation about the delivery of certain lines and the authenticity of the characters’ emotions.
Ultimately, the film presents a deeply melancholic narrative that challenges viewers to reflect on the nature of guilt and forgiveness. The story concludes on a note that, while resolved, leaves lingering questions about accountability and introspection, humorously suggesting that perhaps Coldplay should not be played while driving at night.
Title: Reminders of Him
Director: Vanessa Vaswill
Cast: Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, Rudy Pankow, Lainey Wilson, Lauren Graham, Bradley Whitford
Distributor: Universal
Running time: 1 hr 55 mins
