Title: Don’t Say Good Luck
MPA Rating: PG-13
Director: Julia Hart
Starring: Sunny Sandler, Melanie Lynskey, Max Greenfield
Runtime: 1 hr 35 mins
What It Is: Sophie Birenbaum (Sandler) is a young lady going through the changes in life. She’s just gotten the lead (unexpectedly) in her high school’s production of Waitress: The Musical. Something sinister however has reared its head again. Her mother Elizabeth’s (Lynskey) cancer has returned to throw a wrench in her and her family’s life. Now she has a lot on her plate as she navigates the difficulties of a sick mother, a father trying his best and two little brothers who can’t quite grasp the gravity of the situation.
What We Think: There’s a beautiful sadness to this entire movie. It’s a great mix of comedy and drama. Sunny Sandler, much like her sister Sadie, is going to be a versatile actress. She handles it all rather beautifully here. The emotional roller coaster, the subtle hints of comedy, the one thing that hopefully came naturally. Lynskey and Greenfield for their part are great as Sophie’s parents and really ground the entire film and the character. I really think the script is delicate and gorgeous and the performances Hart gets out of the cast are pitch perfect. Even if you feel the doom incoming you’re in it, and comfortable and much like Elizabeth prepared for the impending darkness. I liked this a lot. I liked it even more for a Happy Madison production.
Our Grade: A-, I need more projects like this from Sandler’s production company. Something with genuine heart that isn’t trying so hard to be funny and instead just is. Where the performances are allowed to take center stage. There’s no silliness, no gross out gags and no unfunny Rob Schneider shtick. Just solid writing, great performances and lightly handled direction all coalescing nicely.
