By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
MAIKA MONROE AND TYRIQ WITHERS SHINE IN TOUCHING DRAMA "REMINDERS OF HIM"
The romantic drama
"Reminders of Him" from director
Vanessa Caswill ("Love at First Sight") marks the latest big-screen adaptation from bestselling author
Colleen Hoover, ("It Ends With Us," and "Regretting You") who has clearly mastered the art of the romance-dramedy.
Hoover co-wrote the screenplay with
Lauren Levine, adapting the film from her own 2022 novel of the same name.
Caswill brings a steady and sensitive touch to the material. Like many of Hoover's stories, the film strikes an authentic emotional chord, balancing heartbreak with moments of warmth and humor. Her casting choices are once again spot on--particularly with leads Maika Monroe ("The Hand That Rocks the Cradle") and Tyriq Withers ("Him"), whose natural chemistry anchors the story.
Monroe is sensational as Kenna Rowan, an ex-convict returning to town after serving seven years in prison for her role in a tragic car crash that killed her boyfriend, Scotty Landry (Rudy Pankow, TV's "Outer Banks").
Determined to rebuild her life and reconnect with the young daughter she's never truly known, Kenna faces a community unwilling to forgive her--especially Scotty's parents, Patrick (an excellent Bradley Whitford, TV's "The Handmaid's Tale") and Grace (Lauren Graham, "Twinless"), who have taken it upon themselves to raise the little girl, Diem (Zoe Kosovic, "The Smashing Machine," "Guarding Stars" and TV's "Unspeakable: The Murder of JonBenet Ramsey"), while keeping Kenna's identity a secret from her. Let me just say that Zoe Kosovic is an incredible child actress, and she understood the assignment here and delivers one of the most wholesome and genuine kiddy performances around. She gets my early Critics Choice Awards vote. But back to Kenna.
The one person willing to give Kenna a chance is Ledger Ward (Withers), a former NFL player turned local bar owner who sees the humanity in her when others only see the past. Withers lights up the screen in the role, bringing charm, empathy, and an easy likability that makes Ledger an instant audience favorite.
The film's pacing is refreshingly sharp, allowing the story's emotional beats to land without becoming overly heavy. Even the small, slightly corny yet fun moments between Kenna and Ledger work beautifully, such as a charming scene in his car when Kenna refuses to listen to the radio because she insists every song is sad. Ledger flips through stations only to land on a breakup song, then one about cheating, before laughing and turning the radio off altogether. Later he surprises her with a playlist of upbeat songs--a simple but believable moment that captures the film's sweetness.
Country star Lainey Wilson (TV's "Yellowstone") also makes a strong impression in her film debut as Amy, Kenna's loyal friend who offers support and encouragement as Kenna struggles to rebuild her life.
Most of all, what makes "Reminders of Him" resonate is its sincerity. The film explores themes of forgiveness, grief, and redemption without becoming overly melodramatic, even in the flashbacks to the fatal car crash, which are handled tastefully and used sparingly.
Once again, Colleen Hoover proves that her emotionally grounded storytelling translates beautifully from page to screen. By the time the credits roll, the film reminds you how powerful second chances can be and that they can come when we least expect them.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Watch This Trailer For
"REMINDERS OF HIM"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
