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The death of a family member brings with it a flood of memories and emotions. And in the Canadian drama The Rest of Us, the women and children left behind after a man’s death are forced to deal with their feelings for him—and for each other.
The Rest of Us tells the story of two mothers and two daughters, all connected by a complicated situation. When Cami (Heather Graham) learns that her ex-husband—and her daughter’s dad—has died suddenly, she finds herself in an awkward position: attending the funeral of the man she once loved in the home they once shared, hosted by the woman who took her place. And when the widow, Rachel (Jodi Balfour), discovers that her husband left her and their daughter penniless, she’s forced to swallow her pride and accept Cami’s help.
As the story plays out, the women’s awkward, messy situation gets even messier. Cami offers Rachel and her young daughter a place to stay—despite her own daughter’s very vocal objections. And the four of them are all forced to face their feelings—both for their late husband/father and for each other—while dealing with their tangled relationships.
This is definitely an unexpected role for Graham, who seems to have played the same flighty character for more than two decades. But she gives a surprisingly understated performance—and one of her best. Cami is much more complex than her usual character: a single mom who’s had to take care of herself and her daughter after they were both tossed aside for a younger woman and a fresh start. She’s had to deal with her own feelings of betrayal as well as her daughter’s. Yet she’s managed to make it work—to the point that she’s able to offer her help to the woman who broke up her marriage.
The film is generally quiet and honest, with layered characters and touches of light humor. Though a twist toward the end throws things somewhat off-balance, it all comes together in a sweet and often surprising story about mothers and daughters, about mistakes and forgiveness, about compassion and support, and about the strength and resilience of women.
With its difficult relationships and its challenging story, The Rest of Us guides audiences through so many emotions—yet it does so in a way that’s light and gentle and meaningful. It’s a memorable indie that’s worth seeking out.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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