COLLATERAL BEAUTY – Rated PG-13

COLLATERAL BEAUTY – Rated PG-13 – 1 hr. 37 mins.

Starring Will Smith, Helen Mirren, Edward Norton, Keira Knightley, Michael Pena, Kate Winslet and Naomie Harris

 Caught up in the face paced world of Advertising, we meet Ad Exec Howard Inlet (Will Smith), who one minute is flying high, and the next is unable to function, after a tragic loss in his life has him spinning out of control. Concerned about their friend, and their business, partners Whit (Edward Norton), Claire (Kate Winslet) and Simon (Michael Pena) decide to try to snap Howard out of it, and get him back on track.

As Howard’s dysfunction continues, his partners decide to make the three things in life that Howard seems to relate to ~ LOVE, DEATH and TIME ~ literally appear, hoping to make him realize that they do really care about him, and want him to realize that his life is still worth living…

I give COLLATERAL BEAUTY a rating of MUST SEE ON THE BIG SCREEN~ Smith once again gives an outstanding performance as the father trying to come to terms with the greatest loss a parent can experience. Winslet, Norton, Pena and Harris are also fabulous, trying to live through the curve balls life is throwing in their directions as well. Mirren also once again excels in her small, yet impactful role. Know going in that COLLATERAL BEAUTY is definitely not a pick-me-up, feel good holiday film, but its storyline and characters will mange to touch each and every fiber of your being, and not let go. Even my 16-year-old daughter shed a tear or two as these characters lives played out on screen. She shared with me as we were leaving, that she absolutely loved each and every minute of this film…which leads me to suggest that you gather your brood of youngsters over the age of 13, and head out to catch COLLATERAL BEAUTY either this weekend, or sometime throughout this holiday season.   It probably won’t bring a smile to anyone’s face, but it will touch your heart, as it reminds us of the beauty that somehow manages to surrounds us in this life, each and every day…eKathy Kaiser