"The Good Half," is a touching, melancholic comedy-drama about Renn (Nick Jonas), a writer, who reluctantly comes home to attend his mother's (Elisabeth Shue) funeral. On the plane, he meets Zoe (Alexandra Shipp), and their flirtatious conversation offers him some hope amidst his grief. Once home, Renn faces his put-upon sister Leigh (Brittany Snow), his milquetoast dad Darren (Matt Walsh), and his irritating stepfather, Rick (David Arquette). What he doesn't confront are his feelings about his family.
Director Robert Schwartzman knows a thing or two about families. His mother is Talia Shire; his brother is Jason Schwartzman; his cousins are Nic Cage and Sofia Coppola, and his uncle is Francis Ford Coppola. Schwartzman emphasizes the awkward moments as well as the warm memories in Renn's family. The filmmaker deftly balances the humor and heartache as Renn bonds with his sister and fights with Rick as they prepare for the service. Renn also finds time to meet Zoe at a karaoke bar.
