Review of Miss You Already (2015) by Paul O — 05 Mar 2016

It's been a long time since I cried and laughed at the same time. Not because I was laughing too hard, but because "Miss You Already" is that much of an emotional roller-coaster where you can see the twists, turns, ups, and downs coming, yet they are still impactful and heart pounding. I have been a life-long fan of Drew Barrymore, and am now a "huge" fan of Toni Collette.

At first I didn't want to like this movie. I thought I would be able to predict relationships and plotlines. As the movie progressed I got deeply emotionally attached. Toni Collette delivers a Meryl Streep caliber performance. While I watch movies I am mentally very critical of characters and scenes. Not something that leads general positive results. At first I tried to be overly critical on the back story of these two girls(women) Jess (Drew) and Molly (Toni Collette). Why doesn't Jess have a British accent since she grew up in England from a young age. Is Molly's husband (Dominick Cooper) too young for her. In the end it all came together like a brightly lit colorful Kincade painting.

I only read a couple of reviews before renting this movie, and the synopsis give away the gist of the movie's plot. Even still the writing, directing, and acting were all in fine tune like the London Syphony Orchestra during a climactic crashing crescendo. Jess and Milly's husbands played wonderfully by Dominick Cooper (Kit) and Paddy Constantine (Jago) [a newcomer for me] were intregal to the success of the story. Molly's Mother (Jacqueline Bissett) was not your typical Hollywood overbearing, overacted, annoying, stereotypical mothers were unfortunately accustomed to watching with no depth or imagination. She was loving, respectful, supportive, strong, and interesting. Toni Collette helped her seem natural and stupendous, what a great and perfectly cast part. She was a good mother/daughter to Milly and equally true friend to Jess. Even a good in-law to Kit.

The intensity level of some scenes just moved your insides and outsides. I wanted to be Jago who was a part of the friendships, yet distant enough to not be part of the family. The honor, friendships, and love that everyone had for each other was captivating and invoked strong feelings for each of them. Tyson Ritter (no relation to Jason) whom I liked in the TV show Parenthood was a good choice as well. Milly's two children did a great job.

My favorite Drew Barrymore movie is/was 50 first Dates her and Adam Sandler had a great chemistty, In "Miss You Already" the same chemistry worked with Toni Collette mostly because she could be Drew and Jess at the same time and both were wonderful. Both her person and personal are heartwarming persons. The category 'best supporting actor' was made for what she did in this movie.

The rest of the cast and crew are too numerous to recognize in one review, but Morena Banks (screenwriter) and Catherine Hardwick (director) are noteworthy for making such a great soul wrenching movie.