Best Man Down [Blu-ray]

Well-made drama that is decidedly not a romantic comedy or a romance or even a wedding movie, it an engaging story of really four people. Two are a married couple, newlyweds, we meet them the night of their wedding, two Minnesotans having a destination wedding in Phoenix, Arizona by the name of Kristin (played by Jess Weixler) and Scott (played by Justin Long). Their best man Lumpy (played by Tyler Labine) who, while obviously a great friend to Scott and more or less tolerated by Kristin, is getting drunk and obnoxious (though never mean) at the wedding reception. Cut off from the bar by Scott for Lumpy’s own good, Lumpy goes back to his hotel room. Not to give too much away, Lumpy dies in an accident out in the desert and is found the next morning before Kristin and Scott can leave for the honeymoon.The fourth character that for a time is in a seemingly completely unrelated story arc is a 15-year-old girl by the name of Ramsey Anderson (played by Addison Timlin), a woman who lives in a small northern Minnesota town something like a five-hour drive from Minneapolis (where Lumpy, Kristin, and Scott lived). We see she is obviously quite intelligent, her Mom is doing the best she can for her, a local priest is also helping Ramsey out as much as he possibly can, but the family doesn’t have any money, it looks like Ramsey won’t be able to afford college, and her Mom has a live-in abusive drug-dealing boyfriend who is starting to try to rope Ramsey into his drug dealing schemes.These two storylines seem to have nothing to do with one another until we see Kristin and Scott, going through Lumpy’s phone to try and find friend and family to reach out to, find Ramsey’s name and number. Never having heard of Ramsey and unable to reach her via phone, Kristin and Scott seek out to find the mysterious Ramsey with the two plotlines becoming one.The film is at about growth and discovery, including the growth of Ramsey into adulthood, of Kristin’s and Scott’s relationship confronting a series of big setbacks (job related, money related, the cancelled honeymoon among others), and of everyone discovering who Lumpy really was.Though at times it was kind of dark, not quite bleak but definitely a downer, it was ultimately a sweet movie. I liked how the different plot threads intersected and I was impressed how multi-dimensional the various characters were, that Lumpy seemed one type of person at the start of the film and we got to know an entirely different character, and while it looked like the newlyweds were headed for disaster, both characters were adults and adapted and overcame, and also while initially it seemed Ramsey was one type of person she really wasn’t what she first appeared.A good film, I liked it. Some nice shots of the Minnesota countryside and of downtown Minneapolis.

I truly enjoyed this movie. No big special effects or action scenes, just a great movie about life, reflections, and knowing the whole story before coming to a conclusion. What resonated with me the most was when they initially found out about Lumpy dropping out of law school even though he had good grades and questioning "why". We found out at the end the real reason why (I don't want to give away any spoilers). A great movie that will have you thinking about it long after it's over.

Incredibly depressing, but a fairly real look at how life sucks and how the greatest people are gone too soon. Do not pay for this as you only need to see it once. I can’t ever imagine having friends over and throwing this on for a good time!

Maybe I didn't read the intro summary, but this was much better than expected. it got better as the movie went on. Glad I gave it a go, definitely recommend.

Don't know why this movie is in the Comedy category because it is not. It highlights many issues people face in the world and how sometimes we have to get hurt first to start getting better. It is actually a good movie. Recommended for when you want a more serious kind of a movie night.

Great story line, superb casting and acting. Let the credits roll at the end and take note of all the people who obviously love making quality motion pictures.

Did not like the depiction of the priest.However, the plot was a kind of feel-good mystery. So, entertaining,

Just when you think you know...you don't! A comedy, a bit sad but a good movie. Justin Long is great in this role.