I love this movie so much

disgusting, overrated, pointless

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

This is one of those films that is so good because it is so different. I can't really think of another film that one could confuse with this one. It's unique! Let's see -- a young undertaker apprentice (so to speak), whose father is not well enough to carry on the family business, gets ready to embalm a beauty queen contestant who had a fatal heart attack...kisses her (shades of necrophilia), and she turns out not to be dead after all. They fall in love...bumpy in places...until she remembers the necrophiliac kiss...but ultimately get back together after he is disgraced in the press.The one special ingredient here is young Max Minghella, an actor who is about as charismatic as you can get! Some compare him to a young Johnny Depp, but that is more based on looks...Minghella is far more talented (whether he will become as successful as Depp is another question).Blake Lively is very good in her role, though she doesn't seem quite beautiful enough to be in a beauty contest...although the film takes place in Texas, so who knows, maybe that's as pretty as they get in Texas. Joe Mantegna is just charming in his role as Minghella's deformed father...one of his most endearing roles. Mary Steenburgen does well as the doting mother of the beauty contestant...but is just obnoxious enough that you won't like her character. Keith Carradine does well as the creepy stepfather...although it's unclear if there is something there that is almost incestuous, though it's certainly implied.The movie is quirky, but I mean that in a good way! I couldn't take my eyes of the screen. Highly recommended, though I doubt you'll want it on your DVD shelf.

I picked this movie out after seeing Max Minghella in Alejandro Amenabar's Agora. I wondered: who is this wonderful actor and why I don't know him? I liked this movie a lot, maybe because I didn't know what to expect... The storyline, the characters and the setting was exactly right. I really liked Mary Steenburg in this film, although I see her all the time in many productions, and she had a smaller part, I am going to remember her in this one. And a loud applause for Joe Mantegna, I first didn't recognize him but when I did, I was completely stunned that it was him. I hope to see Blake Lively (specially) and Max Mingella in drama genre because it suits them and they did absolutely fantastic work. 10 out of 10 for me, thanks to the right kind of ending :)

The people who gave this movie one star may have seen another movie.I loved it even though I hate Blake Lively to death (see Gossip Girl) because she can't even act and has an annoying voice. But in this movie she was actually decent, not great but bearable. Max Minghella is awesome as always(one of my favourite young actors) and he kinda saves the whole movie acting-wise (along with Joe Mantegna who shines as the alienated father). The plot was great and original, the directing was good but what really makes this a 10 out of 10 is the overall feeling I got. I was left with a smile on my face even though this is essentially a drama. It makes you think about things and offers a pretty optimistic view on life. Like looking on the bright side. It stuck with me and made me go and recommend it to my friends. Repeatedly. Miracles exist and this is a gem of a movie. Period.

There is not much wrong with this film. It is very moving. I was touched to my core, weeping deeply, several times. For the most part the acting is spot on, and the plot is different. The cinematography is stunning; the location serene, if a tad morbid. Elvis is a very deep, if troubled young man, of considerable talent. He works as a mortician at the family's funeral parlour, tending to his ailing father in the wake of his mother's suicide a decade earlier. Elvis' love for his father is the most touching you are likely to witness. He reads to him every night before bed. Elvis' father quite rightly worships the ground his son walks on. The plot revolves around a beauty queen Annabelle who is taken to their funeral parlour and the subsequent turn of events.The simplicity yet authenticity of Elvis' life tantalises Annabelle whose background is all style over substance. In her parents, her shallow, attention-seeking, competitive mother vies with the perversion of her creepy, bourbon-swilling stepfather for who is the more repugnant. Annabelle coaxes Elvis on a journey of discovery, love and ultimately, hope. The plot takes a few turns and the ending is unexpected.What makes this film for me is the depth and compassion of the three main characters. Joe Mantegna is superlative as Charlie, as is the riveting Max Minghella (God bless his father). Blake Lively also convinces. I was surprised, enthralled, thrilled, captivated, deeply moved; I wanted to stay. You will too.