Movie: Reminders of Him

Adapting a best-selling book to a motion picture is always full of pitfalls, however fans of Colleen Hoover’s best seller Reminders of Him should be reassured.

Hoover played a major role in the production of the movie as co-writer and producer and was on set throughout the process.

The movie tells of 28-year-old Kenna (Maika Monroe) who returns to her hometown of Laramie, Wyoming after serving seven years in prison for a car accident that took the life of her boyfriend Scotty (Rudy Pankow).

Unbeknown to her when she pleaded guilty to causing Scotty’s death she was pregnant.  Her child Diem (Zoe Kosovic) was immediately taken from her after birth and Scotty’s parents Grace (Lauren Graham) and Patrick (Bradley Whitford) were awarded sole custody of the little girl.

Now Kenna wants to see her daughter much to Grace and Patrick’s shock and determination it won’t happen.

Kenna’s first days back in her hometown are difficult.  No one wants to employ an ex-prisoner and money is very tight. The only accommodation she can afford is in a very rundown accommodation complex on the outskirts of town.  However, she does make a friend in next door neighbour – Lady Diana (Monika Myers).

She also befriends the assistant manager of a grocery store, Amy Matthews (Lainey Wilson) who helps her get a job there.

Far more impactful is her relationship with former NFL player and local bar owner Ledger (Tyriq Withers).

When Kenna first walks into Ledger’s bar she has no idea he was Scotty’s best friend who she never met but had heard so much about.  And Ledger doesn’t know Kenna was the woman he despised for killing his best friend.  On his return to town after injury ruined a promising NFL career, he moved back to his family home opposite Grace and Patrick. He is particularly close to the couple and even closer to Diem who he sees all the time.

After a few mishaps Ledger and Kenna fall in love which naturally upsets the status quo especially when Grace and Patrick find out.

However, as we learn, from the notebooks which Kenna carries with her everywhere and feature letters she writes to Scotty, her actions at the time of the accident were not all that they seemed.

Of all the actors the greatest demands in Reminders of Him are on Monroe as she plays several `versions’ of her character.

The first is the fun, loving Kenna who falls in love with Scotty, the second is the traumatised and damaged version who is racked with pain and regret and then the person who gradually learns to forgive herself and let people back into her life.

The on-screen chemistry between Monroe and Withers ensures it’s easy to believe Kenna and Ledger would fall for each while Graham and Whitford effectively express the pain the couple is still suffering because of their son’s death and their determination to protect Diem.

Six-year-old Kosovic is amazing, seemingly never missing a beat as a cute and lovable five-year-old, while another standout is Monika Myers.

Having not read the book, which has sold more than six million copies in the United States and has been translated into 45 languages, it’s hard to say how closely the movie follows the book.

However, if the book features moments of sadness, redemption, romance and the occasional light-hearted touch then it’s very close!

Reminders of Him is currently showing in Australian cinemas.

*Photo credit: © Universal Studios.