Wristcutters: A Love Story

I finally got to see Wristcutters: A Love Story. I'd been invited to literally 5 free screenings and couldn't attend a single one. I was starting to get upset and lose hope that I was ever going to see it, but I finally saw it (and for free too! yay!). It was like all vanished actors from late 90s WB teen television congregated in one film. Ok, well not really. But Leslie Bibb (from the drama "Popular") and Azura Skye (from the dramedy "Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane") were both in it and that kind of freaked me out because I haven't seen either of them since those two shows were canceled. Not that I ever really even watched those shows much but The WB was at its prime then so I was aware of them. Selma Blair got her start on "Zoe..." too.

But I digress. So "Wristcutters" is a story about a young man named Zia (Patrick Fugit... oh be still my heart) who - in the very first scene - kills himself when hurt/dumped by girlfriend Desiree (Leslie Bibb). Already there's a problem right there: what an awkward couple. Luckily, you see very little of them together with the exception of a few stupid flashbacks because, as I said, Zia has offed himself at the very beginning of the film. So the movie is about an afterlife where all suicides go that is very similar to this life only slightly worse. Everything's kind of greyish and rundown, and worst of all you can't smile. However, Zia soon finds out that his ex, Desiree, has offed herself too and he goes on a mission to find her.

On this mission, he meets Mikal (Shannyn Sossamon) who is on a mission of her own: to get out. She insists she is there by mistake. So she goes with Zia and his crazy Russian friend Eugene (whose rather silly Russian rock music from his former life is the soundtrack to their road trip) and while they are looking for Desiree, she is looking for "the People In Charge." Of course, this is where the love story comes in between Zia and Mikal - a much more believable couple.

The movie moves rather slowly, which it should considering the tone that is being set and where the story takes place. It has that "Garden State" pacing where there is a lot of time where nothing is really happening, but it works really well. The dreary imagery and slow pacing makes the audience understand the characters' feeling - or lack thereof. Yet at the same time, we are certainly not bored.

The story has a very fantastical "Alice In Wonderland" kind of feel. Despite everything being "dulled down" so to speak there is a plethora of quirky characters, interesting locations and random adventures. Speaking of quirky characters, I would say the most pleasant surprise was Will Arnett (formerly of "Arrested Development") playing King/Messiah - a cult leader who is convinced he can separate his soul from his body. I wasn't even aware he was in this movie and his short role was one of the highlights of the movie. Tom Waits also makes a fairly large appearance and adds quite a bit to the film.

Overall, I very much enjoyed this movie and I definitely recommend it. I think the premise is really neat and that it was very well made. It made me fall even more deeply in love with Patrick Fugit and it also made me really glad for the simple things in life - like smiling.

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