Collateral Beauty

Collateral Beauty is a profound, thought-provoking drama released in 2016 by Warner Bros. Pictures and directed by David Frankel, who is well known for directing The Devil Wears Prada. This Hollywood tearjerker showcases yet another incredibly emotional and moving performance from Will Smith, who is also accompanied by an ensemble cast featuring Hollywood big wigs like Edward Norton, Kate Winslet, Michael Pena, Keira Knightley, Helen Mirren, and Naomie Harris.

At its core, Collateral Beauty revolves around Howard Inlet (played by Will Smith), a successful advertising executive in New York City. He is a charismatic businessman with an intuitive knack for understanding what his clients need. However, his life turns upside down when he is hit by a devastating tragedy that throws him into a deep ocean of desolation.

Shattered profoundly, Howard retreats from life, abandoning his career, neglecting his friendships, and most significantly, severing his connection to his inner self. As he struggles with the harrowing pain of his loss, he embarks on a quest to find answers, seeking solace and understanding in the intricate tapestry of the human experience.

His attempt to cope with his grief leads him down an unorthodox path; he begins writing letters — not to people, but to abstract concepts: Love, Time, and Death. This unordinary act serves as a therapeutic outlet for Howard, a means to channel his desolation into words and give physical form to his emotional struggle.

In a twist of fate, or rather an instance of ‘Collateral Beauty’, Howard's letters are discovered by his concerned colleagues – Whit, Claire, and Simon (played by Edward Norton, Kate Winslet, and Michael Pena, respectively). They want to help their friend and colleague who has given them so much in the past. The trio decides on a unique strategy intended to compel Howard out of his despair.

Suddenly, Howard's abstract correspondences get responses, personified by Love (Keira Knightley), Time (Jacob Latimore), and Death (Helen Mirren), who help him perceive a different perspective on his tragedy. This unexpected occurrence guides him towards a profound understanding of how these constants interconnect in a life fully lived and inspire him to embrace life once again.

While the premise may seem fantastical, the film grounds itself in the realism of human emotions. It peels back the layers of grief, examining the most intimate corners of a hurting heart and the convoluted road to healing.

On the performance front, Will Smith delivers a heartbreakingly touching portrayal of a grieving man whose pain is so raw; it reverberates from the screen. Edward Norton, Kate Winslet, and Michael Pena give commendable performances as the crew members who shoulder their surreptitiously ailing lives while striving to help Howard.

Keira Knightley, Jacob Latimore, and Helen Mirren bring an intriguing dynamic on screen as personified Love, Time, and Death. Naomie Harris stands out in her role as a warmhearted grief counselor with a significant presence in the narrative.

Collateral Beauty is a poignant tale of experiencing and dealing with profound loss and the arduous journey of healing. It is an emotional exploration of the universe’s intricate design and our place in it. Beautiful cinematography and an entrancing score lend a hand in making the film a visually stunning and gripping experience.

While the movie does employ a heavy-handed approach to express its message, it does so to highlight its theme's gravity and intensity. Therefore, it stands as more than just a film – it is a philosophical exploration of sorrow, recovery, and the interconnectedness of human experiences as viewed through the lens of love, time, and death.

In conclusion, Collateral Beauty is a movie that will encourage you to feel, reflect, and possibly help you see your world from a different perspective. It’s an incredibly emotional roller-coaster that’s sure to leave a lasting impression.