The World Without You

The World Without You is a drama film directed by Damon Shalit that tells a story about a family trying to cope with the loss of their son in the Iraq War. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Joshua Henkin and was released in 2019. The film stars Radha Mitchell as Marilyn, the grieving mother; Chris Mulkey as David, the father; Perrey Reeves as Lily, the sister; and James Tupper as Jake, Lily's husband.

The movie takes place in the summer of 2005, one year after Leo, the youngest son of the Frankel family, was killed in Iraq. Marilyn invites the whole family to their country house in upstate New York to commemorate Leo's death and scatter his ashes. The family members come from various parts of the country, each bringing their own set of problems and issues that have not been resolved since Leo's death.

Marilyn is struggling the most with her grief, unable to move on and still seeing Leo's ghost everywhere. David, a successful journalist, tries to keep up his image of strength and stability but is secretly having an affair with his co-worker. Lily, the engaged younger sister, is having second thoughts about her upcoming wedding as she can't imagine moving on without Leo. Her husband, Jake, is a recovering alcoholic who struggles to connect with the family.

The Frankel family is not the only one grieving on this day. The film cleverly intercuts between the Frankels' story and the stories of other families who lost their sons and daughters in Iraq. It adds a layer of emotional depth to the movie and reminds the viewer of the broader impact of the war beyond the Frankels' tragedy.

As the family members gather, old wounds are reopened, and they must all confront their grief and the unresolved issues they have with each other. The conversations are tense, and the emotions are high. One of the most significant conflicts in the film is between Marilyn and Lily. Marilyn blames Lily for Leo's death as he enlisted in the army to avoid going to Lily's wedding. Lily, on the other hand, feels guilty for not being able to save her brother from death.

The movie is beautifully shot and filmed in a naturalistic style that captures the quiet beauty of upstate New York. The attention to detail in capturing the nuances of the characters' emotions is impressive. The performances of the actors are all strong, with Radha Mitchell delivering a particularly powerful performance as the grieving mother.

The World Without You is a poignant and moving film that deals with grief and loss in a sensitive and compassionate way. It is a beautiful reminder that tragedies like the Iraq War have long-lasting effects on families and individuals, and that healing takes time and effort. The movie does not offer easy solutions or simplistic answers, but instead, it portrays the messy and complicated process of grief in a way that feels authentic and relatable.

Overall, The World Without You is a beautiful and thoughtful film that is well worth watching. It is a powerful exploration of grief and loss that leaves a lasting impression. If you are looking for a movie that will make you think and feel deeply, this is the one for you.