Anyone who reads the synopsis knows this is going to be a sentimental film, and so it is, but not in a heavy-handed way. The female lead (Hong Chau) is the woman who arrives in town with her young son to clear out the cluttered house of her recently-deceased (and estranged) sister. Neither mother or son are the type to make friends easily, but they do slip into relationships with other people, especially an elderly neighbour (Brian Dennehy). The film has a gently elegiac note and seems to be about endings (the sister's life, and the neighbour's independent life) but there are hints of beginnings. I had some resistance to the timeline of the work on the house eg why not order a skip straight away? And why not dispose of the dead cat immediately, and in a responsible way? I'm always puzzled why working people in the US are depicted as never being able to afford things - of course with the exception of pizza etcetera. And why not retain some furniture in the house? That's just me, I always take a practical view! Regards the acting, as the mother Hong Chau is fine, the kid (Lucas Jaye) is great, and Brian Dennehy as the neighbour could do this sort of thing in his sleep. I'm fine with having devoted some time to watching this film. As an older person I certainly spend time contemplating my end and worrying about the burden my stuff is going to be to those I leave behind. But I would recommend that younger viewers find something more cheerful to watch.
