Capsule reviews for Jan. 8

Beautiful Something Left Behind

Grief is perhaps the most difficult emotion for anyone to manage, but the resilient youngsters in this insightful documentary might surprise you with their maturity and life-affirming outlook. It follows attendees at Good Grief, a New Jersey organization at which therapists provide an outlet for preteen children who have recently lost a parent to process their feelings in a group setting with their peers. Their tragic stories are heartbreaking, but the film doesn’t dwell on cuteness or offer a transparent plea for sympathy or pity. Instead, without turning maudlin, Danish director Katrine Philp employs an observational approach, finding a delicate balance of humor and humanity. (Not rated, 88 minutes).

If Not Now, When?

While making a sincere attempt to extol the virtues of Black sisterhood, this bittersweet ensemble drama feels too calculated in its accumulation of conflicts and feel-good resolutions. It chronicles four ex-high school best friends who have drifted apart as adults, only to be brought back together when Tyra (Meagan Good) experiences a personal crisis. The others — Patrice (Tamara Bass), Suzanne (Mekia Cox), and Deidre (Meagan Holder) — each have relationship issues of their own. The actors have an appealing chemistry, but rookie co-directors Bass and Good struggle in modulating the various subplots without sacrificing emotional depth. While the themes are universal, the narrative specifics are predictable. (Not rated, 111 minutes).

The Reason I Jump

“If somebody could change my autism, I would choose to stay the way I am,” explains the narrator in this life-affirming documentary that has the power to break down stigmas and change perspectives. Based on the book of the same name, written by a 13-year-old autistic boy, it follows several subjects on the spectrum, showing outsiders that their nonverbal nature and sometimes erratic behavior doesn’t reflect a lack of intelligence, but rather a different way of processing information and viewing the world. The film’s visual interpretations don’t always connect, and occasionally it feels like a promotional tool. Yet it achieves its primary goal without turning heavy-handed. (Not rated, 82 minutes).

Redemption Day

So aggressive with the jingoistic bravado, this uninspired hostage thriller dispenses with the narrative logic in this story of a decorated war veteran (Gary Dourdan) suffering from post-traumatic nightmares. His wife (Serinda Swan) is an archaeologist who travels to Morocco for a project, only to be abducted by ransom-seeking Algerian terrorists when she accidentally crosses the border. Arriving at the scene, he becomes frustrated with the bureaucratic and diplomatic obstacles and takes matters into his own hands. Rookie director Hicham Hajji offers up some rudimentary low-budget action scenes, while the derivative screenplay lacks subtlety and surprise. As a result, the flag-waving sentiment feels forced. (Rated R, 99 minutes).

Some Kind of Heaven

Beneath the idyllic facade of The Villages, the massive Florida retirement community with more than 100,000 residents in their twilight years, some of its seniors are struggling with mental health and socioeconomic circumstances. That might not seem surprising, but this documentary from rookie director Lance Oppenheim is an incisive exploration of aging that chronicles a 47-year marriage is threatened by chemical dependency, a recent widow struggling to start over, and a cash-strapped drifter trying to woo rich women into a relationship. The film highlights the quirks and nostalgic indulgences, too, but its observational approach goes beyond the brochure to highlight universal challenges reflecting contemporary population shifts. (Not rated, 83 minutes).

Stars Fell on Alabama

Eager to perpetuate regional stereotypes and genre tropes, this far-fetched romantic comedy combines familiar ideas about stardom and millennial gossip to mediocre effect. Bryce (James Maslow) is a rising Hollywood agent set to return to his small Alabama hometown for a class reunion. When he impulsively fibs to a buddy about bringing a hot new starlet (Ciara Hanna) as his date, word spreads much too quickly. Naturally, Bryce’s ruse leads to sparks during a whirlwind weekend, although the charming chemistry between Maslow and Hanna is insufficient to overcome the script’s accumulation of contrivances. Some scattered laughs aren’t enough to make us care whether true love prevails. (Rated PG-13, 103 minutes).