Review of Wristcutters: A Love Story (2007) by Karly A — 27 Mar 2010

A perfectly rare film: a romantic dark comedy. Set in a bleak afterlife reserved only for suicides, three companions travel to sort out their respective issues and deal with the world that is "just like it was, only worse." The writing is key to this story working. The concept weaves effortlessly from perfectly bizarre to moving, carried on realistic dialogue and sharp wit that characterizes the interactions between the characters, in what could have been, in less skilled writer's hands, a dull, plodding road movie.

The actors are the real selling point, making the story (and no pun intended) come alive. Patrick Fugit plays the lovesick and titular wristcutter with a sort of ageless angst that luckily comes across as more pathetically appealing than annoying and Shannyn Sossamon brightens the entire film with her unconventional charm. The main trio is rounded out by a xerox of Eugene Hutz, played by a gloriously mustachioed Shea Whigman. Also joining the cast is an amusingly enigmatic Tom Waits as Kneller, who becomes an unlikely voice of reason, and a fun cameo from the always hammy Will Arnett.

The quirky film is given a great soundtrack mostly (and appropriately) filled with the just as quirky gyspy punk of Gogol Bordello, serving to score the color drained but oftentimes beautifully shot world of suicides and underscore the bemused mania that the entire film runs on.

While it certainly isn't for everyone due to the subject matter, and does suffer a little from a rushed ending, Goran Dukic's debut feature film is a charming roadtrip and uplifting love story, serving as a heartfelt reminder to appreciate what you have, and strong caution against throwing it away.