Other People (I) (2016) User Reviews

Pleasant Surprise.... Golly Molly...

[tkn10015 · 8/10 · 18 July 2016]

If this were a bigger movie, Molly Shannon might soon be getting a few Big League nominations. She might anyway. Who expected Sally O'Malley to inhabit a fully formed married Sacramento mom of three older children, dying of cancer? Miss Shannon is funny and painful and riveting to watch as she shows us her love and rage and pride in her kids and worry about their future, and frustration with her failing body and nice clueless husband, and her wish to just sometimes give up and die already. It takes a deeply skilled actor to hide nothing, be still, and let the camera have it's way with you. Who knew? She gets a lot of help from Jesse Plemons as her struggling gay son David who is hurting from his own heavy baggage. Mr. Plemons' face is our guide to this family, not acting, just letting us tag along and marvel at his devotion to his sick Mom.

A terrific young group of fun talented stars of tomorrow fill in the family and church and choir and other Sacramentoes and the likes of Paul Dooley, June Squibb, Bradley Whitford and an Apatow kid make Director Chris Kelly's already superb script better.

Funny laugh out loud bits and great private one-on-ones that don't feel rushed. No sitcom feel or fake intimacy in Other People. These people matter to one another.

Other People brought back for me those intimate moments in Carmela Soprano's kitchen when another complicated family was trying to have closeness and understanding at the dinner table. Aren't we all?

Do NOT Watch if You Are Depressed Or Maybe You Should?

[bgthomaswriter · 8/10 · 14 December 2016]

Brilliant little movie that is sad and funny and seems almost improvised. A collage of the last year in the life of the "matriarch" of a family. Jesse Plemons plays David, a son who is having the worse year of his life. His dreams of being a comedy writer are not coming true, he's broken up with his boyfriend of five years, his father won't acknowledge he's gay even after ten years, and his mother is dying, Sounds pretty dreary, huh?

And it is so sad to watch Molly Shannon as the mother as she slowly dies and deals with the ravages of chemotherapy and the depression that life is going on on on without out her.

And yet this little gem is out-standing. There are so many little moments that say so much about life, growing, family, acceptance, reaching out, discovery, and more. One scene after another that tells the story *of* life. From beautiful to silly to painful to triumphant.

The short short scene where David tries to order three medium chocolate shakes without whipped cream—and then you have to be paying attention to see him sit down with his parents with three shakes—with whipped cream. This movie really is something I will have to watch again. The final shot is what gave me hope—that life, no matter what, does go on, and maybe, just maybe, it will be okay.

Fantastically honest slice of life

[Pogostemon · 8/10 · 14 October 2016]

A comedy writer returns from NYC to his childhood home in Sacramento for an indefinite period, at a time when his Mom is undergoing treatment for cancer and when he has just ended a five-year relationship. Presented in episodic, "slice-of-life" scenes titled with every month in what is unavoidably a really terrible year for this guy, the story is economically told yet beautifully cohesive.

You might think a story dealing with a parent's serious illness and impending death would necessarily flirt with sentimentality, but writer-director Chris Kelly (whose own experiences are the obvious source material) is so truthful and self-aware that he almost completely manages to avoid every pitfall. Instead, we get an honest picture of the struggle to find or 'feel' meaning in this year spent, with somewhat mixed feelings, in the bosom of a fairly loving but realistic family--living in his childhood bedroom, sleeping in his old twin bed, and struggling with writer's block at his childhood mahogany desk (his greatest heart's desire as a 2nd-grader).

As Kelly's unlikely stand-in, David, Jesse Plemons gives a fantastically honest & fearless performance. (As with Season 2 of the FX series "Fargo," I kept thinking, "Who is this guy?? How does he have the guts to be so exposed?") Plemons does addled, understated angst like nobody else. As his ex, Zach Woods (only familiar to me from "Silicon Valley" and "The Office") is a revelation of sweetness and adorability. (I sort of hope they get back together...)

Many people will find Molly Shannon's performance as the Mom with cancer extremely powerful and brave. Yes, she was very good... skirting the threat of sentimentality and managing to avoid it in almost every scene. The Dad's and sisters' roles are not as prominent, which is probably part of the point. But I wouldn't have minded seeing them beefed up a bit. The conflict between David and his Dad over his sexual orientation might have better served as fodder for another story and another movie. Its presence in this movie sometimes seemed a bit off-topic, needlessly shifting the focus.

In a sort-of-gratuitous but very enjoyable role, J.J. Totah appears as a campy tween drag queen, the adopted younger brother of an old high school friend. At the Busan film festival screening full of Koreans that I attended, he was a clear audience favorite.

Sacramento is depicted as a provincial no-man's land, and the scene in a local gay bar was definitely non-PC. It might bother some viewers, but illustrates the writer-director's commitment to total honesty, even at the cost of losing a little respect from adherents of social justice.

Does David ever find the meaning and connection he is hoping for? I recommend that you see the film and decide for yourself.

8.5 -- possibly 9

Authentic

[Red_Identity · 23 November 2016]

I made the decision to watch this because of the hype and talk of Molly Shannon's performance. She was undeniably powerful. However, Jesse Plemons also surprised me in his best performance yet. Incredibly authentic, heartfelt, and lived-in, it's him showing the kinds of dramatic chops that he has and he more than delivers. It's been great to see his transformation from his earlier roles and to see him gaining more and more prestige with the types of smart choices he has made in terms of roles. I cannot wait to see more from him. Overall, the film was very effective. It's simple, but its themes are timely and they hit really chose to home. Not as raw as last year's James White, but instead it has something else to offer.

Small but effective drama

[kevinwilliam-08044 · 7/10 · 6 August 2019]

Drama with comedic elements based on real life events that happened to writer/director Chris Kelly. Although cinematically often rather flat it is an engaging drama that doesn't skimp on the often deeply difficult elements of the story namely a woman (an excellent performance by Molly Shannon) losing her battle with cancer and the effect of those around her. The story is mainly seen through the eyes of her eldest son David a rather shy awkward gay man who leaves his failed relationship and unsuccessful writing career in New York to move back to Sacramento to be with his mother. Jesse Plemons is also rather excellent in the role of David.



The setting of Sacramento and David's job in comedy writing made me make comparisons with two other more widely viewed and distributed films from around this time Ladybird and The Big Sick and while those two films are on the whole better this film is still worth viewing with some sequences leaving a great impression. If you loved those two films chances are you'll like this one.

heart breaking family life

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 18 April 2018]

David (Jesse Plemons) is a gay NY TV writer. His pilot gets cancelled and he moves back home to Sacramento to care for his mother (Molly Shannon) with terminal cancer. His father (Bradley Whitford) is the only one in the family refusing to accept his homosexuality. There are his two younger sisters. It's a tough year as his mother slowly deteriorates.

There is a sense of easy quiet improvisation about the movie. It could laud one to sleep until it reveals its devastating heart. There are some real heart-breaking scenes. It's hard not to feel for this family. I do wish for more of David's relationship and not have the breakup. The dating scene feels like forced comedy. I just want Zach Woods to come out to California to meet his dad. I want more heart and less forced comedy. There is that super sad scene with David's friends in New York. There are some really great real scenes. There are lots of familiar faces doing small roles. It's a solid indie.

Outstanding movie about a very sad subject

[Red-125 · 10/10 · 10 October 2016]

Other People (2016/I) was written and directed by Chris Kelly. It stars Jesse Plemons as David, a young, gay, NYC comedy writer who is having the worst year imaginable. His mother is dying from a rare cancer, and he has broken up with his gay partner of five years. (Plemons is an very talented actor, who acts his role well.) David moves back home to Sacramento, to be with his family and help care for his mother. Molly Shannon portrays David's mother, Joanne. Joanne is clearly a wonderful person, attacked by a cruel illness that is taking her life rapidly and inexorably.

David is an immense help to his mother as she moves back and forth between fighting the disease and giving in to the disease. Unfortunately, she loses either way. Joanne's struggle with cancer is really the core plot of the movie.

The scene in which Joanne goes back to the elementary school where she was a teacher, and meets with her old friends, and with her replacement, is superb. It's worth watching the film for that scene alone.

An important additional plot of the movie is that David's father will not accept the fact that his son is gay. He is willing to "debate it" with David. However, as David points out, there's really nothing to debate. He's gay, and that's the way it is.

We saw this film at Rochester's excellent Little Theatre as an opening night selection of Image Out, the outstanding 24th Annual LGBT festival. It will work well on the small screen. It's definitely worth seeking out and seeing.

This film carries a terrible 6.1 rating from IMDb reviewers. This is a case where I say, "Did anyone else see the same movie that I saw?" Ignore the rating, see Other People, and judge for yourself.

The struggle is real

[GregoryNew · 6/10 · 22 July 2021]

Struggling gay writer seeks acceptance of dad while Counting down the days till mom dies. Features an interesting dance number, a grocery store breakdown, and blank checks.

Sublime performances

[powerrbill · 10/10 · 4 October 2016]

Didn't have high hopes since this film was available on iTunes before or at the same time as it was in theaters (was it even IN theaters?) but holy heck this was GOOD.

Shannon and Plemmons performances are amazing. Both so convincing in their respective role. Plemmons plays the insecure, unsure, chubby gay man perfectly. And Molly Shannon, who is rarely called upon for nuance, delivers her role as a cancer-stricken woman with such realistic subtlety that you'd be hard-pressed to say she'd never gone through it herself.

Is the concept maudlin? I suppose. It's not new ground, but it's a completely unique take on the situation with a subtext and performances that propel it to greatness. The opening scene is sad, but the end of the film is so much more sad. I can't say more without posting a spoiler, but when you see it you'll realize it's a testament to the directorial approach, script and performances.

With regard to performances, this film probably doesn't have the promotional machine behind it to ever be considered for awards, but if all things were equal and films were judged solely on themselves, I think both Plemmons and Shannon would be recognized for their exceptional performances.

Definitely worth the rental price. And I'm sure it will be free to view soon on some streaming site. Settle in and watch this fabulous, nuance-filled film.

Tough, but truthful

[cliftonofun · 7/10 · 24 November 2023]

This is not an easy movie to watch if you recently lost a family member to cancer. Then again, that probably says something about just how true the storytelling is here. Anybody who's gone back home under tough circumstances or claimed to be fine when they aren't or lost a loved one or found the humor in the most tragic moments possible (so basically anyone) will watch this movie and nod their head. It misses the mark at moments, but it also hits it more often than not, party thanks to amazing performances by Shannon and Plemons. And that's how we ended up chuckling through tears. Which seems pretty appropriate for us this year, honestly.

Beautiful Porcelain Story for most people

[markyslair · 5/10 · 11 April 2021]

This was a nice movie for those who aren't the 'other people'. The title accurately reflects the main premise that stays with you. How we always think the worst things will occur to other people and then we don't know how to handle it when they do occur. It's a movie that is a solid drama and characters are quite relatable. And if you have a terminal disease, I hope you reach your end in a way that is as comfortable and beautiful as is the case in this movie.

But the movie does not reflect the reality of those 'other people'. Reality is so very different, the movie actually feels like a slap in the face to those who have actually gone through the entire affair of loved ones with terminal illnesses. It's such a porcelain story it almost makes you feel guilty for the things you didn't do with loved ones. Unlike in the movie you usually can't put time on hold and have a perfect ending doing parties, visiting places doing things without constant care. The reality is grim and constantly needing to make decisions that are never the right ones and fear for all that is to come.

Maybe it's a movie that can show you what's nice to do when a person has been diagnosed with cancer, is wealthy, still has plenty of time to live and has a group of people that have all the time in the world to support them. However, if you are one of those 'other people' you 99% surely won't have such a porcelain end.

Great Little Gem I found on The Netflix

[dancingbuggever · 10/10 · 3 January 2017]

I very much enjoyed this film and didn't see a preview beforehand, so I didn't know what to expect. I watched it because it had Molly Shannon in it, and she's just a peach. Upon watching this.. I'm like, "OK, we got a gay character....OK, another gay character... Oh, no we are in a gay bar making jokes." So that was a pleasant surprise there. Also, this movie isn't "hilarious" as I saw on advertisements and such. This movie has its funny moments, but it's camouflaged over top of very touching emotional issues and Molly Shannon's character, whom is a dying of cancer. So, "hilarious" is too much of a word to say considering I was crying with little hints of chuckling here and there. This movie deserves better ratings, but people suck.. So, I can't expect more than the rating it has. Also, I'd like to say that Jesse Plemons did a GREAT job in his role. I forgot that he was in other movies to be honest, because he was so believable as this gay character... And I hadn't paid that much attention to his work before this. :/ I do remember him in Battleship upon seeing he was in that like 10 minutes ago, and remember thinking he was a little cutie. He has a Matt Damon thing about him going on. I guess his character in this film reminded me of myself, very much so.. And I just wanted to give him a big hug. But enough about me.. Just watch it if you want to watch something touching and you feel compassion for families dealing with losing someone.

Without Shannon it would of sucked.

[tomcaton · 6/10 · 3 January 2017]

This movie is at best mediocre, a mediocre story, with mediocre writing and mediocre acting, well besides Molly Shannon. She carried the show, with her powerful emotions being conveyed so perfectly and her commitment to the character. Without her the movie would of got 4 stars at best. When she wasn't on camera I felt my attention span slowly decreasing as I watched Plemon (Todd from Breaking Bad), who has potential, try and match Shannon's acting.

To conclude this movie is worth watching for some quality acting by Shannon but still lacks very many important things that makes it a 2016 great.

A nice, ok film.

[zkiko · 5/10 · 26 October 2020]

A nice, gentle, family orientated movie. Ginger guy's acting is amazing (again). It is not complex, and stays mostly in the shallow end of the pool of life. Its about love and loss, a lot of movies have been made about this. This one didnt necessarily add something that wasn't there. But it was a nice gentle, watch. Many may only focus on the pain, but I see a very privileged woman lucky enough to have so many family around here that love her. That is a super rich life. One time watch. No favourite.

Be Careful !

[chinch_g · 25 January 2018]

Be careful - this film might just break your heart ! It took me a while to warm to this, totally unspectacular and unpolished as it first appears. It just observes a family's interactions as the mother is slowly dying from cancer, with the focus on the young gay son who has come back home to help look after her. At times it feels hardly like a 'movie', there is such a sense of simple observation. There were moments where it almost seemed to be a documentary and I felt like I was eavesdropping on a real family's real pain and grief. Increasingly I became aware of the film being rich with ever-so-subtle elements, easily missed, gradually deepening an atmosphere of great authenticity. It is a sad film, but also (astonishingly) with a wonderful sense of wry humour and real warmth. A million miles away from Hollywood, this gem could be easily overlooked. Don't !

Good acting and strong scenes

[Maismovies · 6/10 · 12 April 2020]

It's a Good movie, but a bit slow in the beginning. At the same time there's some funny comments here and there and scenes that are sad and it's hard to hold back the tears. It's a shame that they didn't do more around the story, i feel it could be much more to it, than what they did.

I Felt These People

[daoldiges · 6/10 · 5 February 2022]

After a couple difficult days I decided that I wanted something light, funny, and that I wouldn't have to think too much about, so I chose Other People. I didn't read anything about the story/plot but just assumed at 97 minutes and Molly Shannon, it must be light and funny. Oh boy, was I mistaken! Yes, there is a healthy does of humor here which I did enjoy. However, it is juxtaposed with the sadness of Molly Shannon's character dying of cancer. I like Jesse Plemons and his performance is solid. However, his character is a bit self-involved and too full of self-pity to allow space for some of the other supporting characters to fully develop, like his two sisters. Anyway, I did for the most part enjoy Other People.

Beautiful and Stunning Work of Awe and Wonder

[rkillian922 · 10/10 · 14 September 2016]

Rarely am I surprised by a film. Even less rare am I left speechless. It has already all been done and said, right? Turns out the answer to that question is no. This incredibly brilliant and quiet film reintroduces family and humanness to a world that desperately needs to see the transformative power that tragedy and suffering can bring to a family and community. Molly Shannon is a revelation. She is purely breath-taking in her nuanced and authentic performance. The family that surrounds her in this film is brilliantly cast and subtly and not so subtly used to portray emotion and experience and raw realness. I cannot wait to see this film again and to share it with everyone I care about.

Tissues.....get some

[csquier · 6/10 · 3 January 2021]

Very touching. I was surprised to see Molly in this way.

heartfelt and humorous

[framptonhollis · 8/10 · 6 February 2017]

Unfortunately, this wonderful movie is severely underrated and underseen for whatever reason. If more people were aware of this movie's actual existence I am certain it would be receiving much more attention and praise, because it really is a damn good movie. There are lots of problems with it, but as a whole it's really great. For the most part, the script is extremely witty and well done, and all of the tragic elements blend with the comic quite well-although one could easily argue that this films mixture of emotions is as much of a curse as it is a blessing. I will admit that it caught me a little off guard when a drastic tonal shift would occur, however the movie definitely never feels ridiculous and convoluted tonally. For the most part, everything remains quite consistent-its all very sad, but also hopeful and hilarious.

All of the performances are quite good, especially Molly Shannon whose mostly known for her comedic roles but gives a solid dramatic performance in this film as the main character's mother, who is dying of cancer. While also remaining funny and heartfelt, this movie brings up topics and themes of life, loss, love, death, sexuality, and family relationships in an extraordinarily powerful and realistic way. Although it is slow at times and not all of the jokes work, its an overall lovely, emotional, and funny little movie. Check it out!

It ain't no Pieces of April

[idontpay-24967 · 4/10 · 9 September 2016]

It's OK as a drama, but really. I think most all the reviewers are fan boys now these days or peeps paid to write a good review just to get us to watch what ever.

Everything this movie has has been done over many a time in other movies. Though not so subtle, and yet blatant with a slap of humour as other similar movies. The real side of life or dying is independence.

Not to be confined by who thinks best for you. Nor give in to what you do or say may be judged.

With too many DC and Marvel Comic movies about, it is nice to see something else for a change. So just because it ain't no Pieces of April, does not mean you won't enjoy it.

Cant understand why this isn't 9/10 amazing film.

[comedy_chris · 9/10 · 5 February 2017]

maybe its because he is gay and people are idiots, i dunno but the main theme of this film is cancer, family, and living what time is left... i never cry and never leave reviews but this film had me crying with laughter and then 20 minutes later sobbing my heart out... if you watch one film this month please let it be this one...

the acting is amazing, its one of those films that you forget is even pretend, i was fully fully invested in each character and it was beautifully shot, great soundtrack and written perfectly. an almost perfect film.

as i said i never leave reviews but this deserves it. just watch the trailer and i swear you will download this movie... great job to all involved... spectacular.

Pretty mediocre

[DogeGamer2015 · 5/10 · 8 June 2020]

Although it does have fun moments, this is not enough to make up for the underinspired plot.

How we deal with death is at least as important as how we deal with life

[dermobreen · 8/10 · 10 June 2017]

IMDb.com classifies this 2016 film as a comedy/drama. Well there are one or two laughs but they are of the nervous variety. The focus here is on drama. A struggling comedy writer, played by Jesse Plemons is fresh off a breakup and in the midst of the worst year of his life. He returns to Sacramento, to the bosom of his family to care for his dying mother, Molly Shannon in an outstanding performance.

Train's "Drops of Jupiter" features several times during the movie; the lyrics of which deal with someone dying. Lead singer Patrick Monahan has stated that the song was inspired by his late mother, who had died after a struggle with cancer. It is apt.

Other People is writer Chris Kelly's first big screen outing as director. He is also currently an Emmy-nominated Co-Head Writer at "Saturday Night Live". Other People debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016. Molly Shannon won Best Supporting Female at the 2017 Film Independent Spirit Awards while Jesse Plemons was nominated for Best Male Lead; Chris Kelly for Best First Screenplay and all deservedly so.

Above all this is a human drama. Multi-layered, the story is about the illness and death of the family's mother from cancer. It also deals with the father's reaction and his lack of acceptance of his son being gay. To borrow a line from Captain Kirk in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan – "how we deal with death is at least as important as how we deal with life"

Have the tissues ready.

A solid 4 out of 5.

Surprisingly good

[Gordon-11 · 22 April 2019]

This film tells the story of a young writer who goes back home to take care of his gravely ill mother.

I have the misconception that it is a comedy because Jesse Plemons is in it. The first half of the film is quite funny in a morbid way, and then the second half of the film is just very depressing. The story is very engaging because all the main characters are well crafted and the story telling is excellent. There are no filler scenes at all. I particularly care for the writer and his mother. I feel their pain. I just never expected this film to be so so good.