Collateral Beauty Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A grieving dad gets gaslighted by his friends who hire actors to pretend to be abstract concepts so they can steal his company, but it turns out the actors are actually the abstract concepts, and also his ex-wife was Death all along, which doesn’t explain anything but sounds profound.

🍿 Collateral Beauty: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Grief and Retreat

Howard Inlet, a successful advertising executive, spirals into deep depression after the tragic death of his young daughter, Olivia. He isolates himself from his friends and colleagues, spending his time building intricate domino structures and writing letters to Love, Time, and Death, personifying the abstract concepts he blames for his loss. His grief consumes him, leading to a significant decline in his well-being and professional life.

Concerned Friends and a Risky Plan

Howard’s business partners and close friends, Whit, Claire, and Simon, become increasingly worried about his mental state and the future of their advertising agency. His behavior has led to lost clients and jeopardized the potential sale of the company. Desperate to regain control and ensure the livelihood of their employees, they devise a controversial plan to prove Howard mentally unfit to run the company.

Hiring Actors to Play Abstract Concepts

Whit, Claire, and Simon hire three actors – Brigitte, Raffi, and Amy – to embody Death, Time, and Love, respectively. Their plan is to have these actors confront Howard in public, while a private investigator secretly films the encounters. The footage will then be digitally altered to remove the actors, making it appear as though Howard is hallucinating and talking to thin air, thus proving his incompetence.

Confrontations and Personal Struggles

As Brigitte, Raffi, and Amy interact with Howard, they also grapple with the personal struggles of Whit, Claire, and Simon. Each friend faces their own challenges: Whit seeks reconciliation with his estranged daughter, Claire yearns to become a mother, and Simon battles a life-threatening illness. The actors’ roles as Love, Time, and Death prompt them to confront their individual fears and desires, adding depth to the narrative.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Howard (Will Smith): A successful advertising executive struggles with immense grief after the death of his daughter, causing him to withdraw from life.
• Whit (Edward Norton): Howard’s business partner, grappling with his own personal issues, leads a plan to undermine Howard’s mental state.
• Claire (Kate Winslet): Howard’s other business partner, torn between loyalty to Howard and the company’s future, aiding in a morally questionable scheme while longing to become a mother.
• Simon (Michael Peña): A business partner secretly battling a life-threatening illness, adding another layer of emotional complexity to the situation.
• Brigitte (Helen Mirren): An actress hired to portray Death who unexpectedly offers wisdom and guidance to those around her.
• Madeleine (Naomie Harris): The leader of a grief support group who also experienced the loss of her child and Howard’s estranged wife.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Brigitte: “Just make sure you notice the collateral beauty.” – Brigitte tells Madeline, who is losing her daughter, to notice the beauty that exists even within tragedy.
• Howard: “We long for love, we wish we had more time, and we fear death.” – Howard explains the three abstractions of Love, Time, and Death, which drive human motivation in advertising.
• Amy: “I am Love. I am the fabric of life. I am the only ‘why’… I was there in her laugh but I am also here now in your pain. Do not try to live without me.” – Amy, as Love, confronts Howard about running away from his feelings and the importance of love in life and death.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $36,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $31,016,021
• Worldwide Gross: $88,616,021

💥 Collateral Beauty Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this movie expecting a good cry, and it definitely delivered on that front. Will Smith’s performance is heartbreaking, and you really feel his pain. I do think the plot gets a little convoluted with the whole ‘hiring actors’ thing, and the ending might be a bit too neat, but honestly, I was so emotionally invested that I didn’t really care. If you’re in the mood for a thoughtful drama that tugs at your heartstrings, give it a watch.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Will Smith”
  • “Viewers interested in dramas about grief and healing”
  • “Those who appreciate films with philosophical themes”
  • “Anyone looking for a thought-provoking movie experience”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Deals with themes of grief and loss”
  • “Discussion of death and terminal illness”
  • “Some emotional scenes may be upsetting to sensitive viewers”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite a stellar cast, Collateral Beauty crumbles under the weight of its contrived plot and suffocating sentimentality, proving that even good actors can’t save a fundamentally flawed film.
• IMDB: “Will Smith wants to get serious. This movie too sappy and bland, characters feel like vague shapes than real human beings and the whole plot can be called pretty manipulative
• Roger Ebert: “Collateral Beauty is certainly well-intentioned, and the cast gives it their all, but it’s ultimately a frustrating experience, heavy-handed in its symbolism and lacking the emotional depth to truly resonate.

Audience Reactions

Many found the film emotionally moving, citing its exploration of grief and loss as particularly impactful.: Viewers often praised Will Smith’s performance, as well as the strong supporting cast, for their portrayal of complex emotions.

Several viewers appreciated the film’s attempt to find beauty in tragedy, noting its message of hope and resilience.: Some moviegoers found the concept of Love, Time, and Death as characters to be thought-provoking and original.

Overall Consensus: Collateral Beauty is a film that divides audiences, with some finding it deeply moving and others criticizing its contrived plot and heavy-handedness. While the performances are generally praised, the overall execution of the story is a point of contention.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Will Smith’s father was dying during the filming, which Smith said was therapeutic in dealing with the impending loss.”
• “The opening logos of the production companies are presented in pure white, creating a stark and minimalist visual effect before the movie begins.”
• “The film explores themes of grief and loss, with the characters of Love, Time, and Death personified to help the protagonist confront his emotions.”

🖥️ How to Watch Collateral Beauty?

Collateral Beauty is available for streaming on various platforms. You can rent or buy it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Collateral Beauty, you might like these similar films:

• Seven Pounds (2008): Both films star Will Smith and explore themes of grief, redemption, and making amends for past actions.
• Manchester by the Sea (2016): Deals with the heavy themes of grief and loss in a raw and unflinching manner.
• A Christmas Carol (1984): The idea of visiting persons from the past, present and future to deliver guidance through various forms of abstract thought and emotion, so they can change the path that they are on.

🛒 Collateral Beauty Related Products

• Collateral Beauty Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the film’s poster, capturing the movie’s essence. Perfect for fans of Will Smith, Kate Winslet, or meaningful dramas.
• Collateral Beauty [Blu-ray]: Watch Collateral Beauty in stunning high definition. Experience the emotional depth and impactful story anytime you want. Features bonus content like behind-the-scenes footage and deleted scenes.
• Dominoes Set – Classic Double Six: A professional size domino set perfect for family game night. Includes a durable case for easy storage and transport. Recall the domino building scenes that resonate with the main characters.
• Grief Journal: A guided journal designed to help navigate grief and loss. Thoughtful prompts encourage reflection and healing. Inspired by the film’s theme of finding meaning in loss.

🎧 Soundtrack

Collateral Beauty features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Way Down We Go” – performed by Kaleo
• “Let’s Hurt Tonight” – performed by OneRepublic

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Collateral Beauty – Movie Review

Looking for an in-depth analysis of ‘Collateral Beauty’? Chris Stuckmann’s review offers a balanced perspective on the film, helping you decide if it’s your cup of tea.

Collateral Beauty – Movie Review

Need a quick rundown of ‘Collateral Beauty’? Jeremy Jahns gives a snappy review that covers the key points without spoiling the fun.

✨ Rate