Anything

Anything (2017) is a heartfelt drama about second chances and the power of love to heal the wounds of the past. Directed by Timothy McNeil, the movie stars John Carroll Lynch as Early Landry, a grieving widower who moves to Los Angeles to start anew after the death of his wife.

Early is a simple man who has lived his whole life in a small town in Mississippi. He is shy, reserved, and still struggling to come to terms with the loss of his beloved wife. When he arrives in L.A., he meets his eccentric neighbor, Freda (Maura Tierney), who welcomes him to the neighborhood and gives him a new perspective on life.

Despite his reservations, Early starts to explore the lively and diverse city, and even finds a job working for a friend of Freda's, a transgender sex worker named David (Matt Bomer). The two men strike up an unlikely friendship, as they bond over their shared loneliness and desire for connection.

As Early navigates this new world, he is forced to confront his own prejudices and fears, as well as his unresolved grief. He is haunted by memories of his wife and plagued by doubts about whether he can ever love again. At the same time, he is drawn to David, who challenges his assumptions about gender and sexuality, and offers him a glimmer of hope for the future.

The relationship between Early and David is the heart of the movie, and it is beautifully portrayed by Lynch and Bomer. The two actors have a natural chemistry that makes their scenes together feel authentic and powerful. Bomer is especially impressive, bringing a sense of vulnerability and complexity to his role as a transgender woman who has faced her own share of discrimination and pain.

The movie is not without its flaws, however. The pacing can be uneven at times, and some of the supporting characters are underdeveloped. Freda, for example, is a quirky and fascinating character, but we never learn much about her backstory or motivations.

Still, the movie's message of acceptance and empathy is an important one, and it is handled with sensitivity and nuance. McNeil, who also wrote the screenplay, tackles some difficult issues with grace and compassion, and the result is a movie that is both uplifting and thought-provoking.

One of the most striking things about Anything is its visual style. The movie is shot in a dreamlike, almost surreal way, with bright, bold colors and unusual camera angles. This creates a sense of disorientation that mirrors Early's own sense of dislocation as he enters this new world. The soundtrack is also noteworthy, featuring an eclectic mix of songs that range from classical to pop to indie rock.

Overall, Anything is a moving and hopeful movie that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled with loss, loneliness, or the search for meaning in life. It is a testament to the power of human connection, and a reminder that love can come in unexpected forms.