As Kenna grapples with her new reality, the episode highlights her relationship with her daughter Diem, who is being raised by Scotty's parents, Chris and Patrick. Chris and Jessica discuss the emotional weight carried by these characters, particularly the grief and anger that complicate their interactions with Kenna. They delve into the tension between Kenna and Ledger, Scotty's best friend and surrogate father to Diem, played by Tariq Withers, whose chemistry with Kenna adds a layer of complexity to the story.
The hosts commend the film for its stunning cinematography, capturing the breathtaking beauty of the Richie Mountains while juxtaposing it with the heavy themes of loss and forgiveness. They appreciate the raw performances, particularly Monroe’s portrayal of Kenna, which evokes empathy even amidst her flawed decisions. The addition of Monica Myers as Lady Diana brings much-needed humor and warmth to the narrative, enriching the film's emotional landscape.
While acknowledging the film's predictability, Chris and Jessica argue that its heartfelt execution and relatable themes resonate with viewers. With a score of 6.5 to 7 out of 10, this episode invites listeners to consider *Reminders of Him* as a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the possibility of second chances. Join Chris and Jessica as they reflect on this dark romance that offers both tears and hope, reminding us of the power of emotional storytelling.
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00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 Chris: Okay, so here's a what if Redemption
00:00:02 --> 00:00:04 stories aren't really about the person
00:00:04 --> 00:00:07 seeking forgiveness, but about the people who
00:00:07 --> 00:00:10 have to decide whether to give it. That's the
00:00:10 --> 00:00:12 question Reminders of Him seems to be asking.
00:00:12 --> 00:00:14 And it's one that sticks with you long after
00:00:14 --> 00:00:15 the credits roll.
00:00:16 --> 00:00:18 Jessica: That's such a different way to frame it. I
00:00:18 --> 00:00:20 mean, this movie is definitely about Kenna's
00:00:20 --> 00:00:23 journey, but you're right, it's just as much
00:00:23 --> 00:00:24 about the people around her and how they
00:00:24 --> 00:00:26 process their own pain.
00:00:27 --> 00:00:27 Chris: Exactly.
00:00:28 --> 00:00:31 So let's break it down. Kenna, played
00:00:31 --> 00:00:34 by Micah Munroe, is fresh out of prison after
00:00:34 --> 00:00:37 serving seven years for vehicular
00:00:37 --> 00:00:39 manslaughter. She's heading back to
00:00:39 --> 00:00:42 Laramie, Wyoming, where her life basically
00:00:42 --> 00:00:44 fell apart. But here's the twist.
00:00:44 --> 00:00:46 She didn't know she was pregnant when her
00:00:46 --> 00:00:48 boyfriend Scotty died in the accident.
00:00:49 --> 00:00:51 Jessica: And now her daughter, dm is five years old
00:00:51 --> 00:00:53 and being raised by Scotty's parents, Grace
00:00:53 --> 00:00:56 and Patrick. They're not exactly thrilled
00:00:56 --> 00:00:59 to see Kenna back in town. And honestly, you
00:00:59 --> 00:01:00 can't really blame them.
00:01:01 --> 00:01:03 Chris: No, you can't. From their perspective,
00:01:04 --> 00:01:06 Kenna is the woman who took their son away.
00:01:06 --> 00:01:08 It doesn't matter that it was an accident.
00:01:09 --> 00:01:12 That kind of grief doesn't just go away, and
00:01:12 --> 00:01:13 it's not something you can easily forgive.
00:01:13 --> 00:01:16 Jessica: And then you add in Ledger, Scotty's best
00:01:16 --> 00:01:19 friend, who's basically stepped in as a
00:01:19 --> 00:01:21 father figure for dm. He's this former
00:01:21 --> 00:01:24 NFL player who now owns a bookstore turned
00:01:24 --> 00:01:27 bar, which is such a rom com trope, but it
00:01:27 --> 00:01:27 works.
00:01:28 --> 00:01:31 Chris: Oh, it totally works. And their first
00:01:31 --> 00:01:34 meeting. Classic setup. Kenna
00:01:34 --> 00:01:36 wanders into the bookstore and Ledger, not
00:01:36 --> 00:01:38 knowing who she is, starts flirting with her.
00:01:38 --> 00:01:40 But when he finds out she's that Kenna,
00:01:41 --> 00:01:42 things get messy real fast.
00:01:42 --> 00:01:44 Jessica: It's such a great moment because it sets the
00:01:44 --> 00:01:47 tone for their relationship. There's this
00:01:47 --> 00:01:49 immediate tension, but also this undeniable
00:01:49 --> 00:01:51 chemistry. You can tell they're going to be
00:01:51 --> 00:01:53 drawn to each other even though it's
00:01:53 --> 00:01:54 complicated.
00:01:55 --> 00:01:57 Chris: And complicated is putting it lightly.
00:01:58 --> 00:02:00 I mean, Ledger has basically been a surrogate
00:02:00 --> 00:02:03 dad to Diem, and now he's falling for her
00:02:03 --> 00:02:05 mom. That's a lot to unpack.
00:02:06 --> 00:02:09 Jessica: It really is. But what I appreciated is that
00:02:09 --> 00:02:11 the movie doesn't shy away from that
00:02:11 --> 00:02:13 complexity. It leans into it, and it
00:02:13 --> 00:02:15 makes you think about what it means to move
00:02:15 --> 00:02:16 forward after tragedy.
00:02:17 --> 00:02:19 Chris: Right? And that's where the movie really
00:02:19 --> 00:02:21 shines. It's not just about Kenna trying to
00:02:21 --> 00:02:23 rebuild her life. It's about whether the
00:02:23 --> 00:02:25 people around her can let go of their pain
00:02:25 --> 00:02:27 and give her a second chance.
00:02:27 --> 00:02:30 Jessica: And visually, it's stunning. Those shots of
00:02:30 --> 00:02:32 the Rocky Mountains are just breathtaking.
00:02:33 --> 00:02:35 They really set the tone for the whole movie.
00:02:35 --> 00:02:38 Chris: Absolutely. The cinematography is top notch
00:02:38 --> 00:02:40 and it adds this layer of beauty to a story
00:02:40 --> 00:02:42 that's otherwise pretty heavy.
00:02:42 --> 00:02:45 Jessica: And speaking of heavy, let's talk about the
00:02:45 --> 00:02:48 performances. Maika Monroe as Kenna
00:02:48 --> 00:02:51 is just so raw and vulnerable. You
00:02:51 --> 00:02:53 can't help but root for her, even when you're
00:02:53 --> 00:02:54 not sure if you should.
00:02:55 --> 00:02:57 Chris: Yeah, and Tariq Withers as Ledger is
00:02:57 --> 00:03:00 fantastic. He's got that whole tough guy
00:03:00 --> 00:03:03 with a heart of gold thing down pat. You can
00:03:03 --> 00:03:05 see why Kenna would be drawn to him, even
00:03:05 --> 00:03:07 though their relationship is so complicated.
00:03:07 --> 00:03:10 Jessica: And then there's Monica Myers as Lady Diana,
00:03:10 --> 00:03:12 one of the residents at the rundown place
00:03:12 --> 00:03:14 where Ken is staying. She adds this little
00:03:14 --> 00:03:16 spark of humor and heart that the movie
00:03:16 --> 00:03:17 really needed.
00:03:18 --> 00:03:21 Chris: She's a scene stealer for sure. And I think
00:03:21 --> 00:03:23 that's what makes the movie work, despite its
00:03:23 --> 00:03:26 predictability. It's the little moments, the
00:03:26 --> 00:03:29 performances, the setting, the way it leans
00:03:29 --> 00:03:31 into its emotional beats. Without shame.
00:03:32 --> 00:03:34 Jessica: Exactly. It's not trying to be something it's
00:03:34 --> 00:03:37 not. It's a dark romance with a hopeful
00:03:37 --> 00:03:39 twist and it knows its audience will eat that
00:03:39 --> 00:03:40 up.
00:03:41 --> 00:03:43 Chris: So the big question, should people see this
00:03:43 --> 00:03:43 movie?
00:03:44 --> 00:03:46 Jessica: If you're a fan of Colleen Hoover or you love
00:03:46 --> 00:03:48 a good emotional roller coaster, absolutely.
00:03:49 --> 00:03:51 It's not going to change your life, but it'll
00:03:51 --> 00:03:52 give you all the feels.
00:03:53 --> 00:03:55 Chris: Agreed. It's not groundbreaking,
00:03:56 --> 00:03:59 but it's satisfying in the way a warm, gooey
00:03:59 --> 00:04:01 chocolate chip cookie is. You know
00:04:01 --> 00:04:04 exactly what you're getting and sometimes
00:04:04 --> 00:04:05 that's all you need.
00:04:06 --> 00:04:08 Jessica: So, final score?
00:04:08 --> 00:04:10 Chris: I'd say a solid 6.5 to 7 out of 10.
00:04:11 --> 00:04:13 It's not perfect, but it does what it sets
00:04:13 --> 00:04:14 out to do.
00:04:15 --> 00:04:18 Jessica: Same here. It's predictable, sure,
00:04:18 --> 00:04:21 but it's also heartfelt and beautifully shot.
00:04:22 --> 00:04:23 If that's your thing, you won't be
00:04:23 --> 00:04:24 disappointed.
00:04:25 --> 00:04:27 Chris: Well, there you have it. Another movie that
00:04:27 --> 00:04:30 reminds us why we love and sometimes roll our
00:04:30 --> 00:04:32 eyes at this genre.
00:04:33 --> 00:04:35 Jessica: Hey, sometimes you just need a good cry and a
00:04:35 --> 00:04:37 happy ending. Nothing wrong with that.
00:04:38 --> 00:04:40 Chris: True. Until next time, then.
00:04:41 --> 00:04:42 Jessica: Until next time.
00:04:42 --> 00:04:44 Chris: You've been listening to movies first
00:04:44 --> 00:04:47 available at Apple Podcasts, Spotify,
00:04:47 --> 00:04:50 iHeartRadio or your favourite podcast
00:04:50 --> 00:04:52 player. You can also stream on
00:04:52 --> 00:04:55 demand@bytes.com com this has been another
00:04:55 --> 00:04:57 quality podcast production from sites.
00:04:57 --> 00:04:58 Jessica: Com.
00:04:58 --> 00:04:59 Chris: Um,