Burying Yasmeen

Burying Yasmeen is a 2019 American quirky comedy directed by Philip Lybrand, starring Mike Langer, Elena Tovar, and Jason Lott. Through its unique narrative approach and captivating performances, this dark comedy delves into the complications of relationships and odd dynamics of human interactions.

In this movie, Mike Langer plays the central character, Nick Sweeney. Nick is introduced as an ordinary guy leading an average lifestyle, who is surprisingly faced with an unusual, utterly outlandish dilemma. His ex-wife, Yasmeen, portrayed by Elena Tovar, leaves him a unique and somewhat disturbing task in her last will and testament after her untimely death — to bury her in five different cities across the country. Yasmeen, despite being departed, continues to leave a myriad of issues for Nick to deal with, making his life increasingly complicated and her presence in his life more perpetual than ever.

The plot develops with Nick traversing across the continental United States, trying to fulfill the unprecedented demand of his ex-wife. The movie presents a series of hilarious and uncomfortable situations Nick must endure while trying to complete this task. His journey involves a myriad of experiences, from annoyingly mundane moments to absurdly peculiar incidents, accompanied by a peculiar ensemble of characters he meets along the way.

Jason Lott plays the character of Ryan, Nick’s trustworthy friend who unlike Nick, embraces the absurdness of the situation. Ryan willingly partakes in this ludicrous journey, providing comic relief while also offering a different perspective to Nick's debacle.

Meanwhile, Elena Tovar as the late Yasmeen, shines in her posthumous role, managing to maintain her presence beyond the grave through flashbacks that highlight her relationship with Nick. Her last wishes not only cause uproar in Nick’s life but also inadvertently forces him to reflect on his past, their shared history, and his future. Her character assists in providing valuable and comical insight into their failed relationship and key elements of Nick’s current predicament.

Despite the comic undertone of Burying Yasmeen, the film subtly touches serious themes, like dealing with a tumultuous past and coping with loss and grief. It subtly explores the complexities of human relationships and examines the degree to which one might go to honor the wishes and memory of a loved one, even after their death.

This movie is perfectly balanced with its vibrant comedic elements and subtle exploration of human emotions. It manages to keep audiences hooked with its creative story, engaging dialogs, eccentric characters, and humbling moments of self-realization and growth. Director Phillip Lybrand successfully captivates viewers through his unusual visual storytelling and exceptional narrative that presents a contemporary perspective on relationships, life, and death through a comedic lens.

The film uses humor to create an engaging narrative that results in a peculiar road trip never seen before. The captivating performances by the actors provide the much-needed depth to their characters which, coupled with the unusual premise of the film, create a thoroughly entertaining and unique cinematic experience.

Besides the strong on-screen performances, Burying Yasmeen also benefits from its competent storytelling structure, high-quality production, and commendable cinematography that adds to the overall narrative, making it not only a pleasure to watch but an experience to remember.

In conclusion, Burying Yasmeen is an eccentric, wild, yet relatable roller coaster ride of a movie that intertwines humor, emotion, and unconventional storytelling. It proves an interesting point – even in death, certain individuals manage to raise the bar of weirdness, leaving us to deal with their peculiar, often hilarious, remnants. Both heart-touching and humorous, Burying Yasmeen provides audiences with all the ingredients of an enjoyable and intellectually stimulating film experience.