Reminders of Him

The sunset-kissed poster for Reminders of Him might lead one to believe that this is a maudlin, by-the-numbers romance. And while it is the cheesy drama projected by the poster, there’s much more beneath the surface to Vanessa Caswill’s adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s titular novel. This is a surprisingly probing look at the realities of being an ex-convict trying to re-enter society.

The aforementioned ex-convict is Kenna (Maika Monroe), who has been released from prison five years after playing a role in the death of her partner, Scotty (Rudy Pankow). She wants nothing more than to rebuild her life and be reunited with her daughter, to whom she gave birth while in handcuffs. She forms a bond with Scotty’s childhood best friend, Ledger (Tyriq Withers), while also having to contend with the judgmental glare of her late partner’s parents, played by Lauren Graham and Bradley Whitford, doing their best suspicious suburbanites act.

Small-town prejudice is a prevalent theme, with Kenna facing ostracisation from locals upon her return and struggling to find work in even the most menial settings. This leads to some subtle commentary on the efficacy of rehabilitation, as Kenna receives compassion from the most marginalised. These include the charming Lady Diana (Monika Myers), who is a neighbour with Down syndrome, a female inmate who offers help when Kenna is lactating in prison, and a friend of Ledger who has struggled with substance misuse and his own rock bottom.

However, make no mistake: this is no social realist drama. What starts out as a gritty look at rehabilitation eventually makes way for contrived plot points and a forced romance, set to a jarring country pop score. It would have worked better had it taken the slice-of-life route, as the harsh realities of finding employment after leaving prison quickly dissipate into the background. Likewise, the feature could have benefited from exploring Kenna’s relationship with Diana in more depth rather than using her as a plot device. But Monroe shines despite the narrative shortcomings, giving Kenna the dignity and humanity such a role necessitates. And the film’s earnest, unprejudiced messaging is welcomed, particularly when made with mass appeal in mind.

A compassionate plea for redemptive rehabilitation, Reminders of Him makes for unexpectedly thought-provoking viewing. Monroe’s understated performance carries the story to its weepy climax, reminding us that we shouldn’t always judge a film by its poster.