While actor Daniel Levy has proven to be a comic force for loyal viewers of TV’s Schitt’s Creek, I personally find his demeanour suggests that he’s the smartest person in the room. Self-confidence is an admirable trait, but only if it avoids puffing up one’s ego. The idea of a feature film written and directed by Levy had me feeling skeptical, but I was optimistic for a surprise. Fortunately, Levy’s feature filmmaking debut, Good Grief, is a great gift for movie goers (especially for a Doubting Thomas like myself).

The dramedy stars Levy as widower Marc. Reeling from the death of his husband Oliver (Luke Evans of 2017’s Beauty and the Beast), Marc discovers from a hand-written confession by Oliver that his then-beau had a secret life. Personal meetings with Oliver’s agent Imelda (Celia Imrie of the Nativity! series) reveal more details about this secret that absolutely devastates Marc, though he suffers through his sadness and embarrassment in silence. Marc, unable to bear internalizing his feelings, acts on a rash and petty choice to “get back” at Oliver by crashing his double life in Paris; masquerading his travels as a “completely random” trip with his unaware besties Sophie (Passing’s Ruth Negga) and Thomas (Yesterday’s Himesh Patel).

Good Grief is a poignant process through love and loss, and the emotions that come with such trauma. Oliver’s death allows the primary trinity to identify with their own insecurities while on their trip. Once the friends sink into their new destination, Good Grief takes on a leisurely pace that benefits the organic maturity experienced by the characters. The openness of the film’s narrative also deters the film from feeling formulaic, accepting more ambiguous concepts of happiness and growth. A blooming romance between Marc and a new friend, Theo (Méduse’s Arnaud Valois), is driven by two independent personalities who are aware of their hot chemistry, but also aware of the sensitive state where their dynamic is at a standstill.

Levy writes with his heart, and allows his viewers’ eyes to wander the frame at the beauty that surrounds the story. Good Grief may derive from distress, but the film reminds us of the life experience that we earn from challenging situations; personal growth that we shouldn’t take for granted.

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Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie