Collateral Beauty explores the challenges of dealing with life’s toughest stuff by Juanita L.
This story follows a successful New York advertising executive who suffers a great tragedy and retreats from life. While his concerned friends try desperately to reconnect with him, he seeks answers from the universe by writing letters to Love, Time and Death. But it’s not until his notes bring unexpected personal responses that he begins to understand how these constants interlock in a life fully lived, and how even the deepest loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty. KIDS FIRST! Juror, Juanita L. comments, “I enjoyed watching Collateral Beauty. It is a great example that reminds us how connected we are to people within and outside our circle.” See her full review below.
Collateral Beauty
Juanita L., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror
I enjoyed watching Collateral Beauty. It is a great example that reminds us how connected we are to people within and outside our circle.
It is a story about Howard (Will Smith), a successful advertising executive who suffers deeply from the loss of his 6-year-old daughter. Howard writes letters to the concepts of Death, Love and Time. While others might say Whit (Edward Norton), Claire (Kate Winslet) and Simon (Michael Pena) are really concerned about their financial situations, I feel they want to sincerely help their friend Howard through his grief. The solution they come up with is a bit strange and might be viewed as cruel and making light of his grief. As Whit is proposing the plan, he realizes that when talking with his mother who has Alzheimer’s, that it is important to go and be inside the person and view through the world through their reality. He proposes giving Howard the opportunity to meet Death (Helen Mirren), Beauty (Keira Knightley) and Time (Jacob Latimore) face to face. A troupe of struggling actors are hired, allegedly to help Howard’s friends prove he is unfit to continue managing the agency. The underlying issue is that they all have a great deal to lose financially and want a remedy.
The thread running through all the characters is their connection to Death, Love and Time. Whit looks for love with his daughter. Claire’s biological clock is running out for motherhood. And Simon is afraid of death. Collateral Beauty, filmed in various parts of New York, shows the busyness and excitement of New York City both day and night. I enjoyed the music and the intensity of the scenes with Howard riding his bicycle against the traffic, not caring about his life.
I recommend this film for ages 14 to 18 and give it 5 out of 5 stars. Collateral Beauty opens Friday, December 16, 2016 in theaters across the country. Check it out for yourself and learn about Collateral Beauty for your life.
