Remorse

Author(s): Ben
Location: Canyon, Texas

"Remorse”

Directed by James Mangold
Written by David Levien & Brian Koppelman
Produced by Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh

Principal Cast:

Topher Grace as Ben Moller
Catalina Sandino Moreno as Bethany Church
Allison Lohman as Hannah Garrity
Ryan Reynolds as Jake Moller
Jesse Bradford as James Moller
Jay Hernandez as Jarrett Ramirez
Ashley Johnson as Denise Adams
Julia Stiles as Leslie Brown
Robert Downey Jr. as Charlie Davis
Bruce Greenwood as Timothy Moller
Joan Allen as Kayla Moller

Tagline: "Who is really responsible?"

Synopsis: Ben Moller has the love of his life, fiancée Hannah Garrity, and couldn’t be happier about it. But that came to an end when Hannah dies in a late night car wreck. Before getting the opportunity to let her death sink in, he learns that his ex-girlfriend Bethany was at the wheel of the other car. What at first he believes is a coincidence gives in to what he fears. Is it possible that Bethany purposely hit and killed Hannah? The initial report says no. Put at the head of the investigation into Hannah’s death is Detective Charlie Davis and Detective Jake Moller, who happens to be Ben’s older brother. Jake, never being a fan of Bethany tries to find the truth in the wreckage while his partner Charlie tries to keep him together.

Ben is being consoled by his two best friends, Denise and Jarrett. While both have Ben’s best interest, Jarrett is leaning more towards the side of murder since he was closer to Hannah. Denise, closer to Bethany, leans more towards an accident. Jarrett’s feelings are enhanced by the fact that he was in love with Hannah, while Denise is conflicted by the fact that she was, and still is, in love with Ben. Both hold back some truth to their friend.

All the while, Ben tries to find out if Bethany knew the secret that ended their relationship…that he cheated on her with Hannah. While trying to discover if she knew, he also deals with the thought of being almost directly responsible for Hannah’s death. Leslie, Hannah’s closest friend, blames Ben for the death of her friend, adding to his confliction.

Denise then begins to blame herself for Hannah’s death since she knew of Ben’s affair and did nothing. Ben’s parents, Tim and Kayla also shoulder responsibility for never expressing their prior dissatisfaction with Ben and Bethany’s relationship when they were together. Ben’s younger brother James takes it the hardest of his family, as he was the reason Hannah was driving.

There is no shortage of questions about the ordeal. Can Jake keep his composure throughout the investigation? What do Denise and Jarrett know? Did Bethany know of Ben’s infidelity? What was Hannah’s business with James? What happened at 54th and Western that night?

Who is really responsible?

What the press would say:

What merits responsibility for a tragedy? This is the question that “Remorse” asks to the audience. Maybe it’s a question that has no clear cut answer, and the film expresses it vividly. Most every character assumes responsibility for a tragedy that they had no direct control over, but believe they could have prevented in their own way. The young cast is an absolute marvel. Topher Grace has truly broken from his “That 70’s Show” origin and has delivered a dark and deeply complex performance of the main character, Ben Moller. He does not trying to trick the audience into making Ben a completely likeable character, but stays true to the story and can break your heart with just a look. Ryan Reynolds, as Ben’s older brother Jake, may be the only character without a big secret in the film. After the death of Ben’s fiancé (Allison Lohman, in a too-good-to-be-so-short role) in a car wreck by his ex-girlfriend in the other car, Reynolds is terrorized by the responsibility to his brother but to also find the truth in the investigation. Also showing surprising range is young Ashley Johnson (What Women Want) as Ben’s best friend. Johnson takes a fairly one-dimensional character and just pours layers on for the world to see. Despite these powerhouse performances, Catalina Sandino Moreno is best-in-show as Ben’s ex-girlfriend and the is-she-or-isn’t she murderer. She conveys a suprisingly adorable charm while never straying from her menacing capabilities. She and the film as a whole, keep the audience guessing until the end for the whole truth.

Oscar Nominations

Best Picture: Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh
Best Director: James Mangold
Best Actor: Topher Grace
Best Actress: Catalina Sandino Moreno
Best Supporting Actor: Ryan Reynolds
Best Supporting Actress: Allison Lohman, Ashley Johnson
Best Original Screenplay: David Levien & Brian Koppelman
Best Cinematography: Phedon Papamichael
Best Film Editing: David Brenner
Best Original Score: Alan Silvestri
Best Original Song: “Torn” by David Gray