The idea of watching Anton Kutcher in a dramatic role, a stretch for this actor, came in the way of "Personal Effects", a story about grieving that serves to unite two people that have suffered by the loss of loved ones. The film by David Hollander is based on a short story by Rick Moody, whose novel, "The Ice Storm", got a good adaptation for the cinema some years ago. Mr. Hollander wrote the screenplay for what appears was a vehicle for Mr. Kutcher and Michelle Pfeiffer.
Walter is a college wrestler whose loss of his sister proves to be a big burden for him. He becomes relentless in his pursuit to bring the killer to get the punishment he deserves, but the justice system does nothing to mitigate his pain. At the same time, Linda, a single mother, is part of the victim's support group where Walter and his mother Gloria go to seek closure, while the trial for the sister and the husband is in progress in court, simultaneously.
Linda also is coping with a deaf mute teenager, Clay, who is being bullied at a sort of school for troubled youths, where he goes. Walter steps in to help Clay, without any ulterior motive, just out of his own sense of fair play. Clay is grateful even when his mother and Walter begin a torrid affair. This troubled young man will ultimately come to help Walter in an unsolicited way that could have been fatal and that lands Clay in a sort of reform facility.
"Personal Effects" keeps the viewer's attention. Director David Hollander's staging of this basically bleak film, shows not too inspired in the way he sets the drama. Anton Kutcher looks a bit awkward out of his usual comedy roles, but one can forgive him for his courageous effort to mature into more dramatic characters. Michelle Pfeiffer, even at fifty looks gorgeous. Her Linda is not perhaps one of the best things she has done in her long career. Kathy Bates, playing Gloria is an after thought, for she has not much to do. On the other hand, young Spencer Hudson shows a promise in his debut as Clay.
Walter is a college wrestler whose loss of his sister proves to be a big burden for him. He becomes relentless in his pursuit to bring the killer to get the punishment he deserves, but the justice system does nothing to mitigate his pain. At the same time, Linda, a single mother, is part of the victim's support group where Walter and his mother Gloria go to seek closure, while the trial for the sister and the husband is in progress in court, simultaneously.
Linda also is coping with a deaf mute teenager, Clay, who is being bullied at a sort of school for troubled youths, where he goes. Walter steps in to help Clay, without any ulterior motive, just out of his own sense of fair play. Clay is grateful even when his mother and Walter begin a torrid affair. This troubled young man will ultimately come to help Walter in an unsolicited way that could have been fatal and that lands Clay in a sort of reform facility.
"Personal Effects" keeps the viewer's attention. Director David Hollander's staging of this basically bleak film, shows not too inspired in the way he sets the drama. Anton Kutcher looks a bit awkward out of his usual comedy roles, but one can forgive him for his courageous effort to mature into more dramatic characters. Michelle Pfeiffer, even at fifty looks gorgeous. Her Linda is not perhaps one of the best things she has done in her long career. Kathy Bates, playing Gloria is an after thought, for she has not much to do. On the other hand, young Spencer Hudson shows a promise in his debut as Clay.