Reminders of Him

Just about every character is burdened by guilt and grief to some degree in Reminders of Him, which offers a shallow exploration of coping mechanisms, maternal instincts, and fractured family dynamics.

Propelled by melodramatic contrivances while lacking in subtlety or nuance, this latest adaptation of a weepy novel by Colleen Hoover (It Ends with Us) is the cinematic equivalent of a beach read requiring an extreme suspension of disbelief.

“I’m going back to the place where everything went wrong to see if I can get something right,” explains Kenna (Maika Monroe) via narration, which turns out to be her reading letters from her diary to her deceased boyfriend, Scotty (Rudy Pankow).

She rolls into a Wyoming hometown fresh out of prison, trapped in a downward spiral and looking for a fresh start. We soon learn that she’s returned in hopes of seeing her young daughter, Diem (Zoe Kosovic), who’s now in the custody of Scotty’s mother (Lauren Graham) and father (Bradley Whitford). They still blame Kenna for the tragedy and don’t want her near the youngster.

The parents both remain close to Scotty’s best friend, Ledger (Tyriq Withers), a former football star who lives across the street and shares a bond with Diem. Ledger cautiously becomes a go-between for Kenna, showing open-minded compassion for her circumstances and allowing her to work twice a week at his bar.

Even as their relationship deepens, he guards Diem and respects the boundaries of Scotty’s parents, whose lingering hostility forbids a reunion. Can they find the common ground that will lead to closure and healing for everyone?

Despite the inextricable parental bond that prompts her to seek a second chance, Kenna is a difficult target for sympathy for moviegoers convinced she’d be better off focusing on the future rather than dwelling on the past.

Such emotional and moral complexities are glossed over by the screenplay, which rarely rings true, although its intentions appear honest.

As directed by Vanessa Caswill (Love at First Sight), the film yanks aggressively at the heartstrings, with cloying assistance from an adorable kitten, a neighborhood child with Down syndrome who functions as cringeworthy comic relief, and some conveniently timed flashbacks.

Straining for laughs and tears, Reminders of Him unfolds predictably without providing the same catharsis to audiences as it does for its characters.

Rated PG-13, 114 minutes.