Wristcutters: A Love Story

My Rating

(out of 5 envelopes):

MPAA Rating: R

Runtime: 88 minutes

Genre: Indie, Comedy, Romantic Comedy

I can’t remember where I heard about this movie, but I’m glad I put it in my queue. This movie turned out to be one of the most original romantic comedies I’ve ever seen…and it’s actually funny.

When Zia(Patrick Fugit) decides to commit suicide(by cutting his wrists as the title suggests) after his girlfriend Desiree breaks up with him, he ends up in another world of despotism and sorrow, one populated by everyone else who has committed suicide. When Zia hears that Desiree(Leslie Bibb) has also committed suicide and is now a part of this universe, he goes on a mission to track her down with a Russian musician named Eugene (this character is based on Eugene Hutz of Gogol Bordello). When on their journey, they pick up Mikal(Shannyn Sossamon), a hitchhiker who is searching for the people in charge because she says doesn’t belong in this world. Tom Waits and Will Arnett also stars in this film.

This movie ended up being one of the most charming films I’ve seen in a while. I love the idea of a world where all people who committed suicide go because I never contemplated anything like that before. The way it was executed was great, too. Some of my favorite things were just the subtle, quirky little jokes. For starters, when Zia first arrives in the post-suicide world, he finds work at Kamikaze Pizza. One of my favorite lines in the film was "I'm not going out tonight. It just makes me depressed." "So, what you gonna do? Kill yourself?"

The music in Wristcutters was great. They use Gogol Bordello’s music as the character Eugene’s band’s music. They’re great and if you have never listened to them (Gogol Bordello’s music also appears in Everything Is Illuminated as well), I recommend that you check them out.

If you have any interest in dark comedy, I would definitely check this one out. The film manages to be original, funny, and deliver.

Netflix Page for Wristcutters: A Love Story