By Keith Walther | RLGR
You will shake from laughter and then you will shake trying to hold back tears. “My Dead Friend Zoe” is a sort of autobiographical tale from writer/director Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, whose experience as an Army veteran provides the inspiration for this dark comedy/drama. Sparked by an outstanding cast, this is an independent film with heart, humor, and a willingness to tackle difficult subjects in an approachable way.
Returning to civilian life after serving in Afghanistan for the U.S. Army has been anything but easy for Merit (Sonequa Martin-Green). Zoe (Natalie Morales) is her best friend who served with her, and their relationship has at times been tumultuous and toxic, but it hasn’t stopped Merit from talking to Zoe about everything. There’s only one problem, Zoe is dead.
As someone who runs from her problems, both literally and figuratively, Merit escapes her surroundings to visit her aging, reclusive grandfather Dale (Ed Harris), who has begun to show signs of mental deterioration. With an overbearing mother, Kris (Gloria Reuben), preparing to sell Dale’s lake house and place him in a nursing home, and her VA group counselor Dr. Cole (Morgan Freeman) constantly pressuring her to attend meetings and share, Merit must fight her instincts to run and confront her issues. However, the grief over her dead friend Zoe may be too much to bear and prevent her from living her own life.
Passion projects usually always translate into the best kind of films, and “My Dead Friend Zoe” is no exception. Having served five years in the U.S. Army and being awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic service as a convoy commander in Iraq, Kyle Hausmann-Stokes has firsthand knowledge of being in a combat zone and then trying to reintegrate into civilian life. This level of credibility and expertise allows Kyle to create a film with a story that resonates with many people who have either served or have family who served.
Kyle tackles some heavy subject matter like PTSD, Alzheimer’s disease, and the very personal, very complex ways people deal with grief and guilt. While these are difficult topics to wrestle with that are befitting of a tearjerking drama, Kyle dresses them up with an incredible sense of humor through well-written dialogue that make these themes easier for viewers to handle and process. The dark comedy and sarcasm create some truly funny moments before Kyle cripples the audience with heart wrenching, unexpected, dramatic turns that yield a surprising climax.
At a runtime of only one hour and 38 minutes, one may think that’s not enough time to sufficiently address such weighty topics, but Kyle defies those expectations, creating a condensed yet perfectly paced film. If there was a film made using the principles of Lean Six Sigma, then this would be the poster child for it, because Kyle doesn’t waste a single scene, making every moment important and necessary. When it comes to visual style and cinematography, the young filmmaker uses a basic, no-frills approach, but his reliance on allowing the actors and story to shine takes center stage anyways.
Having good words on paper is one thing, but having a cast capable of delivering those lines with believable intensity is quite another, and this cast is loaded with talent. The most remarkable performance of the film comes from the lead, Sonequa Martin-Green, whom you might recognize as Sasha from “The Walking Dead.” She layers her character in depth with a richly complex backstory that makes her character real, exemplifying the inner struggle of grief and relatable coping mechanisms. Her reactions are honest, showing how in tune she is with this role, especially when she catches herself conversing with her dead friend, who only she can see, in front of other people. This is a career enhancing performance for Sonequa that makes her an early candidate for Best Actress at next year’s Oscars.
Sonequa’s co-star, Natalie Morales, gets to show off her comedic acting experience in this role, hilariously delivering her lines dripping with sarcasm. Primarily appearing as a ghost to the main character, she does get some time in flashback sequences where she is alive, allowing her to explore her live-in-the-moment character. Also lighting up the screen with memorable comedic moments is Utkarsh Ambudkar, who is ironically the star of TV’s “Ghosts.” Here, he plays the main character’s love interest, providing a naturally awkward humor that makes him immediately likeable. The supporting cast is anchored by two decorated veterans of the silver screen, Ed Harris and Morgan Freeman. These two amazing actors supply the gravitas that steers the film back into the genre of drama.
Even though this film debuted a year ago at the South by Southwest Film Festival, it was not on the eligible list for consideration in this year’s Oscars, making it eligible for next year’s, and it is a strong early candidate. “My Dead Friend Zoe” portrays painful topics with a great sense of humor that make this film extremely impactful, yet delightfully entertaining at the same time. This is easily the best film of the month, don’t miss the opportunity to see it on the big screen, but you may want to bring some tissues.
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