Reminders of Him
Review by Ryan Michael Painter
Reminders of Him looks to continue the success of Colleen Hoover adaptations It Ends with Us and Regretting You.
114 Minutes, Rated PG-13
Written by Lauren Levine, Colleen Hoover
Directed by Vanessa Caswill
Synopsis:
After a perfect outing with her boyfriend, Kenna makes an unbearable mistake that sends her to prison. Seven years later, Kenna returns to her hometown in Wyoming, hoping to rebuild her life and earn the chance to reunite with her young daughter, Diem, whom she has never known.
When Diem’s custodial grandparents adamantly refuse Kenna’s attempts to see her daughter, Kenna discovers unexpected compassion, and then something truer and deeper, with former NFL player and local bar owner Ledger. As their secret romance develops, so do the dangers for both of them, leading Kenna toward heartbreak and, ultimately, the hope for a second chance.
Kenna, a young woman fresh out of prison, returns to her hometown in hopes of connecting with her daughter who was born while she was incarcerated. Two hours of melodrama and forbidden romance follows,
We’ll try to keep this short and sweet. I can’t speak to the accuracy of Lauren Levine’s adaptation of Hoover’s novel, but the audience reaction at the screening I attended was overwhelmingly positive.
My response to the film is far more muted. Realizing I’m not the target audience, I’m comfortable reporting that the film follows the established formula without offering anything remarkably original. For fans of the genre, it is the cinematic equivalent of comfort food.
The performances feel a bit stiff and overplayed, but nothing too distracting. Maika Monroe and Tyriq Withers have just enough romantic chemistry to make the story work. Bradley Whitford , who plays the father of Kenna’s ex, chews a lot of scenery.
While I vastly prefer Monroe’s work in indie and genre films, I’m not going to begrudge her too much for making something decidedly more mainstream.
Reminders of Him is for fans of romantic dramas who expect better production values than a Hallmark Channel film has to offer. I wish it was better. I’ve seen far worse.
Reminders of Him stars Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, Lauren Graham, and Bradley Whitford is in theaters March 13, 2025.
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