Reminders of Him (M) – 114 minutes

A chick flick, Reminders of Him pulls at the emotions to present a story arc that heads down a predictable path.

Still, for fans of this genre, I dare say they will be satisfied they get the ending they desired.

Kenna Rowan (Maika Monroe) was deeply in love with Scotty Landry (Rudy Pankow) and he with her, when a tragic accident occurred on his birthday, and he died.

Kenna was convicted of vehicular manslaughter and sentenced to seven years jail.

Now, having been released from prison, she heads back to Laramie, Wyoming, which is where her love story with Scotty played out.

Not surprising, everything reminds her of him.

But there is more to this story.

Unbeknown to Kenna, she was pregnant with Scotty’s child when he passed.

That child, Diem (Zoe Kosovic), now aged five, is being raised by Scotty’s parents – Grace (Lauren Graham) and Patrick (Bradley Whitford).

Acting as a pseudo father figure to Diem is Scotty’s best mate, Ledger Ward (Tyriq Withers). 

Without money and without prospects, Kenna desperately wants to see her daughter.

But, once they know she is back in town, Grace and Patrick take out a restraining order to prevent her from getting close to Diem.

Meanwhile, Kenna wanders into the bookstore that she and Scotty used to frequent, only to find that Ledger owns and runs the place, having turned it into a bar.

A former NFL player, Ledger doesn’t recognise Kenna because the pair never met when she was with Scotty.

He hits on Kenna, only to turn on her when the truth outs.

Still, circumstances dictate that the two will continue to come across each other and the unmistakable spark between them grows.

Based on a book by prolific #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, this is the first of her works in which she has had a hand in writing the screenplay.

She has done so alongside Lauren Levine, while direction is from Vanessa Caswill, who has been responsible for helming several TV mini-series.

As most, if not all, these types of stories unfold, Reminders of Him is heavily manipulated in a particular direction.

Seemingly impenetrable obstacles need to be overcome to find the happily ever after.

Of course, inevitably that happens.

But that is not the point. The interest lies in the journey. 

Is Kenna the bad person that one might assume she is because she was incarcerated for a not inconsiderable period?

Can Kenna move on with her life?

Can she get to meet and form a relationship with Diem, despite the odds being stacked against her?

Can Scotty’s parents ever forgive Kenna for taking away their son and ruining their lives?

And how can a relationship between Kenna and Ledger be allowed to develop when it feels all wrong that Ledger would step into his best mate’s shoes?

I readily admit that although I could see the wheels turning every step of the way, I warmed to the storyline, willing the trajectory it took to happen.

Much of that gets down to the performances of the two leads.

As Kenna, Maika Monroe presents as decent, capable, hardworking and someone who truly cares.

A strapping young man, Tyriq Withers sends out all the strong he-man vibes, mixed with sensitivity and consideration.

Also worthy of mention is one of the fellow residents of the rundown accommodation establishment where Kenna stays. 

Monika Myers, who has Down syndrome, does a fine job, adding comic appeal as Lady Diana, who befriends Kenna and disses Ledger.

Visually, from the opening vista of the Rocky Mountains, Reminders of Him is stunning. The film was shot in and around Calgary, Alberta in Canada.

So, the all-female filmmaking team has orchestrated an altogether expected, but appealing, dark romance that should resonate among its target audience.

Rated M, it scores a 6½ to 7 out of 10.