3565. People Places Things (2015)

Starring: Jemaine Clement, Regina Hall, Jessica Williams

Director: James C. Strouse

Running Time: 85 mins

People Places Things is an American film about a divorced father who struggles to balance his responsibilities to his family with his work, all the while exploring a new avenue of romance that might just offer him a way forward.

The biggest thing that People Places Things has going for it is a willingness to approach sticky subjects in an honest way. Following the story of a divorced single father, it’s a heartfelt tale that gives due thought to themes that other films might shy away from, and it’s that which makes the film a touching watch.

The word to describe this movie is ‘intimate’. While it’s billed as a quirky romantic comedy-drama, this is first and foremost a personal drama, and one that dives deep into the psyche of a man searching to push ahead with life, but struggling to balance that with the responsibilities that his past marriage has left him with.

Jemaine Clement gives a wonderfully heartfelt performance that marks his character out as a caring father, and a man who’s committed to always doing right by those around him, even when his emotions can lead him astray. And having a character that’s so nice at the heart of the movie makes People Places Things all the more lovely to watch.

On the flipside, while the film is lovely, heartfelt and touching, People Places Things isn’t always the most enthralling watch. The overarching themes are revealed early on, and most are dealt with long before the film comes to an end, meaning that as the story goes on, it almost runs out of things to talk about.

Couple that with the fact that the film’s few moments of subtle humour don’t help to make it a particularly entertaining watch, and you have a movie that, while genuinely wonderful, isn’t always able to keep your attention to the full. So, that’s why I’m giving People Places Things a 6.9 overall.