Moon Manor is an extremely entertaining movie about life, death, and going out on your own terms. It is a beautifully done, heartfelt film.
Moon Manor is a heartfelt film that is touching in many ways. A coming of death story that is unafraid to talk about the power of going out on your own terms. James Carrozo stars as Jimmy, and is absolutely wonderful. There are a few issues, but even with those, this movie should be seen by everyone. Perhaps it will allow everyone to make the best of their lives while they are still here.
This movie is powerful, moving, and honestly a whole lot better than I expected it to be. The premise is an interesting one. Jimmy (James Carrozo) has Alzheimer’s and as his condition worsens, he decides that he wants to go out on his own terms. Jimmy puts together a FUNeral so that he can celebrate his life with those that have been a part of it, and even invites his estranged brother.
An obituary writer is also in attendance — for the first time being able to interview the deceased before they go. This is one of my favorite plot points of the film, and the way that it warps up is perfect.
Moon Manor follows his last night on Earth, while also exploring a bit about his past and how he got here. The final twenty minutes are absolutely beautiful. At the end of the film it is revealed that the majority of this film is based off of events from Carrozo’s real life, and this is the way he hopes to end things when the time comes.
This film really takes the term celebration of life to a whole new level. Jimmy truly goes out with a bang, fully embracing himself, his life, and his friends.
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There are a few small things here and there that do not work with Moon Manor but the biggest one for me is how a main plot point never gets resolved. Perhaps that is relative to real life — not everything will be solved when it is our time to go. Still, I was very intrigued by the inclusion of Jimmy’s brother and I wish there was some closure there. I know this is very vague, but I don’t want to explain too much for fear of spoilers.
Overall Moon Manor is a beautiful celebration of life and death. It is unafraid to dive into some heavy topics like disease, and if medical aid in death is humane or not. In all honesty this is something I never really thought too much about, but I believe my stance on it has changed after watching this film. Everyone should be entitled to go out on their own terms. Sure, loved ones might be hurt by it, but when we lose those we care about it, it is going to hurt. Something like this should be a personal decision and completely up to the one who is dying.
You’ve shown me what kind of death I could have and that’s better than telling someone what kind of life they could live.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
About Moon Manor
Sometimes learning how to live, is learning how to die. On his last day alive, Jimmy will show his estranged brother, salt-of-the-earth caretaker, sharp-witted death doula, a novice obituary writer, a cosmic being, and the guests at his FUNeral that sometimes the art of living just may be the art of dying.
An exploration of what it means to have a “good death” and inspired by the life stories of 84-year-old lead actor James Carrozo, MOON MANOR is the debut feature from female filmmaking duo KnifeRock, and marks the first original score by Coldplay producers The Dream Team.
In Theaters and On Demand: March 11, 2022
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.