Moon Manor Review: A Poignant, Bittersweet Ode To Life & Death
The inevitability and permanence of death is a terrifying concept, but any discourse on death is undoubtedly rooted in the transient beauty of existence. Writer-directors Erin Granat and Machete Bang Bang’s Moon Manor is a brilliant, thoughtful exploration of the subject matter, melding grief with humor to create a death comedy like no other. Chronicling a man's last day on Earth,Moon Manor is delightful and heartbreaking at once, philosophizing what it means to live a meaningful life.
Jimmy (Jim Carrozo), an elderly man suffering from Alzheimer's, decides to die on his own terms, as he is aware that his condition will only worsen with time. This spurs him to host a “FUNeral,” a final get-together with loved ones, meant to play out more like a farewell party to honor the rich, vibrant life he has led. Jimmy is a man of many talents. Apart from being a musician, he also has a deep interest in space, is the founder of a famous soft-toy line named Moonie Babies, and has helped people from numerous walks of life embrace their authentic selves. His guest list includes his caregiver Remy (Reshma Gajjar), “death doula” Fritti (Debra Wilson), and journalist Andrew (Lou Taylor Pucci), who is covering Jimmy’s story in his first feature, among others.
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Moon Manor follows a narrative pattern of its own, interspersing memory and desire, latent fears and endearing conversations while spinning the yarn of Jimmy’s life which he chooses to end on his own terms. Not everyone is in favor of Jimmy’s decision: his overtly religious brother, Gordon (Richard Riehle), proceeds to protest in front of his house with his timid sidekick Terry (Galen Howard),
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