Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
Ted Morgan has been treading water for most of his life. After his wife leaves him, Ted realizes he has nothing left to live for. Summoning the courage for one last act, Ted decides to go home and face the people he feels are responsible for creating the shell of a person he has become. But life is tricky. The more determined Ted is to confront his demons, to get closure, and to withdraw from his family, the more Ted is yanked into the chaos of their lives. So, when Ted Morgan decides to kill himself, he finds a reason to live.
Just Before I Go is a modestly engaging dark comedy-drama that follows a fairly well-worn path of suicidal protagonist finding renewed purpose through reconnecting with family and community. The plot hits familiar beats of redemption-through-chaos without adding much new to the genre. Acting is serviceable across the board with a competent ensemble but nothing particularly standout. The cinematography is unremarkable and functional, typical of mid-budget indie fare. Novelty is low as the premise and execution feel derivative of similar quirky-dark comedies from the same era. The ending provides adequate emotional resolution though it lands predictably given the setup.