100 Days To Live movie review

MOVIE TITLE: 100 Days To Live

Releases February 2, 2021, on VOD, DVD, and Blu Ray

Platforms include: Apple TV/iTunes; Amazon; Google Play/YouTube; Vudu; FandangoNow; Playstation; Xbox; Redbox on Demand and more.

Cable/Satellite platforms include: DirecTV; Dish; InDemand (aggregator for MSO’s including Comcast, Charter, Optimum, Cox, Spectrum, Xfinity, RCN, etc.); Vubiquity; Unobstructed View (CA); and more.

RATING: R

LENGTH: 87 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: A-

IN A NUTSHELL:

This film premiered at the San Diego Film festival, winning awards and excited buzz. In this thought-provoking movie, we’re told that every 10 minutes, someone in America kills themselves. But for every successful suicide, there are over 25 unsuccessful attempts–which means over a million people try to kill themselves and fail each year.

First-time director, Ravin Gandhi, explained in the press notes he sent me, “I wrote 100 DAYS TO LIVE over many years on nights and weekends because I love psychological thrillers that dare the viewer to figure what will happen next, and shock with unpredictable turns that ultimately seem inevitable. But I would have never transformed this screenplay into my first feature film if the story and characters were not set in the world of mental health and suicide–two tragic problems that are sadly underrepresented in modern American cinema and that have affected me personally.”

The director continues, “I spoke to many therapists and suicidal individuals while researching this film. Something I heard consistently was ‘Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.’ I also heard many stories of people who recovered after they stopped being ashamed and started talking honestly. Maybe if enough people see the film, we can advance the national conversation on this topic. We need more films that do not shy away from addressing this problem that is still steeped in taboo and never discussed. Most importantly, I hope the film leaves viewers who are depressed with a simple message: Don’t give up.”

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Several people get drugged, kidnapped, and shot. You see blood.
Some crude language, profanity, and an F-bomb
Portrayal of suicides and attempts
You see a woman in her underwear
You see a topless man with lots of tattoos
You see a woman in a bathtub a couple of times but she’s covered in bubbles
You see the naked backside of a woman
An unmarried couple is seen in bed together.

THEMES:

The value of life
Suicide
Joy
Despair
Depression
Control
Never give up.
What are you grateful for?
If you only had 100 days left to live, what would you do with your time?

THINGS I LIKED:

What a great job for a first-time film director. Kudos to Ravin Gandhi. I’m excited to see what he does next.
I love being introduced to new actors. All of them have been around before but I hadn’t seen them. Heidi Johanningmeier plays Rebecca, who must work with detectives Jack Byers (Yancey Arias, USA’s Queen of the South) and Greg Neese (Chris Johnson, ABC’s Betrayal) in a race against the clock once she discovers a serial killer is a former colleague named Victor Quinn (Gideon Emery, Netflix’s Scream: The TV Series), whom she thought had committed suicide.
There’s an intriguing opener that immediately immerses you in the story.
Lovely apartment with a gorgeous view of Chicago. In fact, the beautiful Chicago skyline is featured many times in the film.
There’s some mystery involved with the thriller. I love how the layers of the mystery are slowly peeled away with flashbacks through to the end of the film.
Twists! I love twists! The plot keeps you guessing what will happen next. Acts 1 & 2 are pretty straight-forward, but Act 3 will surprise you.
It’s a fascinating psychological study of a villain’s motivations. Gideon Emery does an excellent job.
Don’t let the movie trailer fool you. This movie is going to test your assumptions.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Why do people walk downstairs into a dark basement? Turn on the lights, people!
Who would agree to such a thing? No spoilers here….just disbelief.
Soooo melodramatic.
The film is low-budget compared to Hollywood blockbusters, but its economical approach gets the job done very well.

INTERESTING LINES:

“You’re lucky to be alive.”- several people
“We’re going to get him.” – Detective Jack (Yancy Arias) “No, you’re not. People want what he’s selling.” – Rebecca (Heidi Johanningmeier)
“Did love ever save you from the demons?” – Victor Quinn (Gideon Emery)
“They say when you hit rock bottom, you just know.” – Rebecca (Heidi Johanningmeier)