Can a film about grief and abstract concepts find beauty in the wreckage?
In short: Collateral Beauty follows a grieving advertising executive who writes letters to Love, Time, and Death. When these concepts unexpectedly manifest, he is forced to confront his loss. While critics panned the 2016 drama for its contrived premise, the film explores whether tragedy can reveal hidden, selfless moments of meaning.
The story centers on Howard Inlet, a New York advertising executive who retreats from life following the death of his young daughter. His business partners, fearing the company’s collapse, orchestrate a scheme to prove Howard is mentally unfit to lead. They hire three struggling actors to portray the abstract concepts of Love, Time, and Death, intending to capture footage of Howard interacting with them and then digitally erase the actors to make him appear delusional.
As the actors engage with Howard, they also become entangled in the personal struggles of his partners. Simon is secretly battling cancer, Whit is attempting to reconnect with his estranged daughter, and Claire is navigating her own path toward motherhood. Through these encounters, Howard eventually finds solace in a grief support group, where he meets Madeleine. She introduces him to the concept of 'collateral beauty'—the idea that selfless acts of kindness can emerge in the wake of profound tragedy.
The production of the film was marked by significant turnover. Originally slated for directors like Alfonso Gomez-Rejon and stars including Hugh Jackman and Rooney Mara, the project underwent numerous casting and creative changes before David Frankel took the helm. Upon its December 2016 release, the film faced harsh critical reception, with some reviewers labeling it a fraud. Despite this, it grossed $88.2 million worldwide against a $36 million budget, and audiences polled by CinemaScore offered a more favorable 'A-' grade.
Ultimately, the film leaves the nature of the three visitors ambiguous. While they are revealed to be actors hired by Howard's friends, the final scenes suggest they may have been more than mere performers. By the end, Howard finds a way to reconcile his grief, signing over his company and finding a path forward, illustrating the film's central, albeit polarizing, thesis that even the deepest loss can be accompanied by unexpected beauty.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Collateral Beauty
- Also: Collateral Beauty
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-collateral-beauty.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
