In his new film, Restless, Gus Van Sant pays homage to Hal Ashby and his film Harold and Maude but he adds a warm heartfelt twist on the subject matter. Many of the plot devices are similar in both films. For instance, in Restless, a young man Enoch, played by Henry Hopper, crashes memorials and funerals. At those events, he meets Mia Wasikowska who seems at first to be a crasher as well. The two grow fond of each other and it is revealed that Mia Wasikowska's character has cancer. The plot lines between the two movies are similar, but Restless seems to be a more complete and serious film. The movie is also much warmer, compared to Harold and Maude which has a lot of dark comedy.
The critics have overall been negative towards Restless. I really do not see why. Maybe they don't like the unoriginality of the film with his homage to Harold and Maude. The negative opinions of the film led me to be expecting less of the film. Instead it turned out to be an unexpected delight.
Restless tackles serious themes including suicide, life, death, and love. It has a timeless feel to it and it will probably be a film that will be more liked by young people. It feels like a fairy tale in this regard. Also of note, it plays somewhat like a hipster film as both the main characters played by Hopper and Wasikowska seem to be hipster-like. I definitely recommend this film, and it is one of the better movies in an above average year in film.
Grade: B+/A-
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