About Alex 2014

     A group of seven college twenty-something friends get together after they receive a call about Alex attempting suicide.  They want to be there to support him and also to be with him to make sure he doesn’t do this again.  Being together for a three-day weekend under the same roof causes them to fall back on their college behavior and also to tackle resentments, bad decisions and friendships. 

     Right away I thought about The Big Chill released in 1983 with a group of seven thirty-something friends meeting after a funeral.  The plot of a group of friends reuniting because of an event is a very common movie theme.  This group has been separated by geography and life moving forward as it does.  Also, the funeral in The Big Chill is for the character named Alex?  Since this plot has been done so many times, it’s easy to fall into being predictable.  How many variations on the same story can there be and still keep the audience guessing?  Sometimes I get tired of the plot theme of partners withholding important information from the other person and the constant arguing that always ensues!!  3* (This movie is OK) 

99 min, Drama directed by Jesse Zwick with Nate Parker, Jason Ritter, Maggie Grace, Max Greenfield, Aubrey Plaza, Max Minghella, Jane Levy, Adam Saunders, Rey Lucas.

Note:  Imdb 6.3 out of 10, 49% critic 43% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 2 ½*.

Special Note:  The Big Chill has Tom Berenger, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt, Kevin Kline, Mary Kay Place, Meg Tilly, JoBeth Williams.  7.2 out of 10 on Imdb.