Miss You, Love You
The brief
Jim Rash turns what could be a saccharine grief comedy into something genuinely surprising, anchored by Allison Janney's caustic, wounded performance as a widow who's basically allergic to feelings. She and Andrew Rannells have this prickly, lived-in chemistry that makes their forced partnership feel real rather than contrived, and Rash lets their conversations breathe instead of rushing to the next punchline. The tone walks a tricky line between dark humor and real emotional weight without getting too cute about it. Perfect for anyone who loved The Way Way Back or wants their family dysfunction served with actual bite instead of easy sentiment.
The verdict
If you appreciate sharp, uncomfortable humor about grief and can handle characters who resist easy likability, this is a darkly funny gem that earns its emotional moments through genuine bite rather than manipulation. If you prefer your family dramas with clear heroes and tidy resolutions, you'll likely find Janney's prickly widow and the film's refusal to soften hard edges more frustrating than cathartic.
Watch with
- 👥 Perfect for solo viewing or with close friends
- ⚠️ May be too heavy for casual date nights
Heads up
- Death of family member (central to plot) (moderate)
- Discussions of estrangement and family conflict (moderate)
- Strong language and blunt dialogue (frequent)
Credits
- Director
- Jim Rash
- Cast
- Allison Janney, Andrew Rannells, Suzy Nakamura, Bonnie Hunt, Oscar Nuñez, Lisa Schurga
Official synopsis
A blunt, grieving widow is forced to plan her husband’s funeral with a total stranger: her estranged gay son’s gay assistant. As they fumble through grief and their strange, darkly funny circumstances, buried secrets and long-held resentments surface, but their partnership becomes an unlikely conduit for connection, laughter, and healing for this mother and her unexpected surrogate son.
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with A Private Life (2025)
Both explore unexpected bonds formed through grief and family secrets.
Total runtime: 1h 38m + 1h 48m = 3h 26m
