moon manor movie review

Screen Rant

Moon manor review: a poignant, bittersweet ode to life & death.

Chronicling a man's last day on earth, Moon Manor is delightful and heartbreaking at once, philosophizing what it means to live a meaningful life.

The inevitability and permanence of death is a terrifying concept, but any discourse on death is undoubtedly rooted in the transient beauty of existence. Writer-directors Erin Granat and Machete Bang Bang’s Moon Manor is a brilliant, thoughtful exploration of the subject matter, melding grief with humor to create a death comedy like no other. Chronicling a man's last day on Earth, Moon Manor is delightful and heartbreaking at once, philosophizing what it means to live a meaningful life.

Jimmy (Jim Carrozo), an elderly man suffering from Alzheimer's, decides to die on his own terms, as he is aware that his condition will only worsen with time. This spurs him to host a “FUNeral,” a final get-together with loved ones, meant to play out more like a farewell party to honor the rich, vibrant life he has led. Jimmy is a man of many talents. Apart from being a musician, he also has a deep interest in space, is the founder of a famous soft-toy line named Moonie Babies, and has helped people from numerous walks of life embrace their authentic selves. His guest list includes his caregiver Remy (Reshma Gajjar), “death doula” Fritti (Debra Wilson), and journalist Andrew (Lou Taylor Pucci), who is covering Jimmy’s story in his first feature, among others.

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Moon Manor follows a narrative pattern of its own, interspersing memory and desire, latent fears and endearing conversations while spinning the yarn of Jimmy’s life which he chooses to end on his own terms. Not everyone is in favor of Jimmy’s decision: his overtly religious brother, Gordon (Richard Riehle), proceeds to protest in front of his house with his timid sidekick Terry (Galen Howard), creating a ruckus in the neighborhood by incessantly shouting into a megaphone. Despite handling such a sensitive subject matter, Moon Manor is an extremely funny film that manages to balance the lighter elements with deep, complex philosophical ruminations. The film is also delightfully psychedelic in parts, especially in the scenes in which Jimmy sees his “intuition” in corporeal form, who looks like a Nazgûl-esque figure covered in encrusted diamonds (the result is eerie and beautiful).

Although Jimmy is understandably plagued by the permanence of his decision and the prospect of losing so many people who love him deeply, he comes to the realization that life, no matter how entrenched in hardships, has been beautiful for the most part. Being someone who never shied away from embracing his core desires, be it his sexuality or his creative endeavors, Jimmy embraces death with the same meditative tranquility, and the scenes towards the end are positively heartrending. The raw emotionality of Jimmy speaking to his estranged brother, tenderness towards Andrew, asking those around him to exercise stillness to experience momentary peace, and the sheer breadth of his hopes and fears, elevate Moon Manor to the greatest heights, in the best of ways.

Death is generally a sad, despair-tinted affair, but Moon Manor turns it into a celebration — despite this mammoth risk, the film never, ever comes off as distasteful. This, perhaps, is rooted in the fact that the film is directly inspired by Carrozo’s personal life, which grants it an earnest, deeply personal tint. The flashback sequences only heighten the narrative’s authenticity, as it portrays Jimmy’s multifaceted personality with great success: a successful singer, an LGBTQ+ activist, a lover of life’s mysteries, a man of kindness. Every performance is played to perfection. Every character plays their dutiful part, investing the roles with a deeply humane quality. Moon Manor is an absolute triumph, one which celebrates life and embraces death while touching upon the bittersweetness of everything that occurs in between.

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Moon Manor had a limited release in theaters and is available on VOD as of March 11, 2022. The film is 103 minutes long and remains unrated as of now.

Key Release Dates

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Common sense media reviewers.

Touching, open-hearted drama about the end of life.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Supports a very controversial topic: the idea of t

It's hard to describe Jimmy as a role model, since

Main character Jimmy is gay. His death doula, play

Scary imagined scenes in which character faces a m

Woman's naked breasts seen while two boys spy on h

Sporadic strong language: "f--k," "s--t," "a--hole

Main character smokes pot and grows a "San Pedro c

Parents need to know that Moon Manor is a drama about a gay man in his 80s with Alzheimer's disease who decides to end his own life with the help of a death doula. Unsurprisingly, death is a constant subject; the main character also sees scary hallucinations of a monster and images of himself shouting and…

Positive Messages

Supports a very controversial topic: the idea of thoughtfully chosen assisted suicide in the face of a serious/terminal diagnosis. It also celebrates life, friendship, and family, and choosing acceptance rather than fear.

Positive Role Models

It's hard to describe Jimmy as a role model, since he's done many things that may be seen as controversial or iffy. But he's also a man who's lived his life to the fullest, based on his own choices. And he's pretty lovable. Faith-based characters who oppose his choice are portrayed as comical and silly.

Diverse Representations

Main character Jimmy is gay. His death doula, played by Debra Wilson, is Black, and his caretaker is played by Reshma Gajjar, who's of Indian American ancestry. Juana (Roz Hernandez) and Nox (Kit DeZolt) wear lavish costumes and behave in a way that seems meant to imply that they're queer, but the movie never specifies. Many characters of color appear in smaller or background roles, especially in the party sequences. Three White men -- Andrew (Lou Taylor Pucci), Gordon (Richard Riehle), and Terry (Galen Howard) -- may or may not be straight; the movie never specifies.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

Scary imagined scenes in which character faces a monster, doubles of himself shouting at him, etc. Open discussions about death by suicide, end of life, etc. Dialogue about a character who died of complications relating to AIDS. Brief scuffle in which girl stomps on poster, man smashes girl's trophy. Spoken story about doves freezing and dying at a peace rally.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Woman's naked breasts seen while two boys spy on her through her window. Porn mentioned during a montage, accompanied by the sound of a man's voice moaning "oh yeah." Dialogue about sex in a "sleazy hotel." Dialogue about a woman becoming an escort. Character's name is "Juana Bang." Other sex-related dialogue. Naked female statue in garden.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sporadic strong language: "f--k," "s--t," "a--hole," "goddamn," "butthole," "ass," "damn," "hell," "boobs," "oh my God."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Main character smokes pot and grows a "San Pedro cactus"; discussion of mescaline. Dialogue about main character taking LSD and getting "so high." Dialogue about being "high on psilocybin," "micro-dosing," and "psychedelics."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Moon Manor is a drama about a gay man in his 80s with Alzheimer's disease who decides to end his own life with the help of a death doula. Unsurprisingly, death is a constant subject; the main character also sees scary hallucinations of a monster and images of himself shouting and expressing fear. There's a brief scuffle between a man and a teen girl that results in damaged property. Language is sporadic and includes "f--k," "s--t," "a--hole," "goddamn," "butthole," "ass," "damn," and "hell." There's also quite a bit of sex-related dialogue, including a mention of porn (and a moaning sound). A woman's naked breasts are seen when two boys spy on her. The main character smokes pot, and there are references to mescaline, LSD, psilocybin, micro-dosing, and psychedelics. The subject of the movie may be controversial, but the filmmakers handle it beautifully; it's surprisingly joyful and touching. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

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What's the Story?

In MOON MANOR, Jimmy (James Carrozo) is a gay man in his 80s who has Alzheimer's disease and has decided to end his life. He throws his own "FUN-eral" and invites all his friends, as well as a journalist, Andrew ( Lou Taylor Pucci ), to write his story. Jimmy has a death doula, Fritti ( Debra Wilson ), and his regular caretaker, Remy (Reshma Gajjar), on hand, as well as old friends Slick (Cullen G. Chambers), Juana (Roz Hernandez), and Nox (Kit DeZolt). Over the course of the day, Jimmy tells stories about his life, meeting his true love and forming a successful music act with him, starting a business selling land on the moon, and various other wild adventures. Outside, church activists Gordon ( Richard Riehle ) and Terry ( Galen Howard ) are protesting Jimmy's choice, but it turns out that Jimmy invited them, and for a good reason.

Is It Any Good?

While a movie about someone's end of life might sound scary or like a downer, this open-hearted drama is the opposite, full of joy, love, wisdom, and even sly humor. Inspired somewhat loosely by the life of actor, musician, and comedian James "Jimmy" Carrozo -- who, in real life, did not die -- Moon Manor is a little awkward at first, stumbling over its slightly amateur look and feel. But Jimmy's sheer charisma and the movie's introspective mood soon win the day. Having a journalist character on hand is an easy, oft-used way to get exposition out of the way, but here it works perfectly, as Andrew quickly grows to adore Jimmy, entranced by his words. (It helps that Andrew has his own drama to work through; he's not just a passive observer.)

The structure of the movie is just right, too, starting quietly, with gentle, thoughtful conversations before the partygoers arrive. Each section captures just the right mood, acknowledging the elephant in the room -- death -- while embracing all the other aspects of life. Moon Manor is a small, special movie that should be seen by everyone who has ever feared, or pondered, what it means to reach the end.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how Moon Manor depicts death. Do people have the right to choose the circumstances of their own death, rather than face Alzheimer's and the slow disappearance of their identity? Why, or why not?

Did you notice any positive diverse representations ? What about stereotypes ?

What is a death doula? After this movie, would you be interested in learning more about what they do?

How does the movie depict drug use ?

How is sex depicted? Is there freedom in it? Responsibility? What values are imparted?

Movie Details

• In theaters : February 25, 2022
• On DVD or streaming : March 11, 2022
• Cast : James Carrozo , Lou Taylor Pucci , Debra Wilson
• Directors : Machete Bang Bang , Erin Granat
• Inclusion Information : Female actors, Black actors, Female writers
• Studio : Good Deed Entertainment
• Genre : Drama
• Run time : 98 minutes
• MPAA rating : NR
• Last updated : August 31, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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Moon Manor Reviews

Although it’s about death, it’s really a film that celebrates all the mess and glory of living your life to the fullest.

Full Review | Feb 13, 2024

While a movie about someone's end of life might sound scary or like a downer, this open-hearted drama is the opposite, full of joy, love, wisdom, and even sly humor.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 25, 2023

Moon Manor might not seem like it is for everyone, given the topic. But hopefully, it will be seen by a wide audience because the beauty of cinema is that it can show us different perspectives.

Full Review | Original Score: 8/10 | Apr 1, 2022

A comedy-drama about a subject--euthanasia--that can weigh a sentence like a lead balloon, MOON MANOR is somehow whimsical, witty, and stirring enough to take flight.

Full Review | Mar 19, 2022

Moon Manor beautifully tells the life story of its lead actor, James Carrozo, equipped with pleasing cinematography and great performances.

Full Review | Mar 15, 2022

Chronicling a man's last day on earth, Moon Manor is delightful and heartbreaking at once, philosophizing what it means to live a meaningful life.

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | Mar 15, 2022

The piece finds its power by exploring the tangled emotions of the characters closest to the impending death.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 15, 2022

Although it has lots of amateur enthusiasm and a promising premise, Moon Manor gets lost in too many characters, juvenile humour and New Age sanctimony.

Full Review | Original Score: C | Mar 10, 2022

A sweet, gentle celebration of a full life.

Full Review | Original Score: B | Mar 8, 2022

An extremely entertaining movie about life, death, and going out on your own terms. It is a beautifully done, heartfelt film.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Mar 7, 2022

Moon Manor (2022)

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Moon Manor Delivers a Touching Meditation on Life & Death

Moon Manor beautifully tells the life story of its lead actor, James Carrozo, equipped with pleasing cinematography and great performances.

Covering the topic of death in film can be done successfully in many different ways, but it's very difficult to make the subject matter beautiful. However, filmmaking duo KnifeRock manages to do just that with their dark comedy  Moon Manor . The film brilliantly blends humor with melancholy, feeling like a surrealistic biography. Perhaps the biggest feat this film accomplishes is being not only a touching meditation on death but on life as well.

Moon Manor tells the story of Jimmy (James Carrozo), an 84-year-old man with Alzheimer's who decides it's his time to go. Jimmy doesn't want his death to be a sad affair, but rather a celebration , so he plans his own "fun"-eral. Attendees include his loving caregiver Remy (Reshma Gajjar), eccentric death doula Fritti (Debra Wilson), and curious journalist Andrew (Lou Tayor Pucci). Jimmy will also have to deal with his religious brother Gordon (Richard Riehle), who is protesting his event. Through this experience, Jimmy realizes that both life and death are full of meaning and beauty .

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Moon Manor feels like a celebration of a man's life rather than just a straightforward narrative. This may be because the film takes truths from Carrozo's own life journey, causing the movie to hold a lot more power than just a standard, quirky dark comedy . Flashback sequences to Jimmy's youth and young adulthood never feel out of place and always add to the story. It seems that Jimmy is Carrozo in most ways. Since the known LGBTQ+ activist and performer hasn't had many film credits to his name, Moon Manor seems like an attempt to grace audiences with getting to know this kind soul -- and it succeeds.

While Moon Manor  is an enjoyable cinematic experience, the ending packs a major punch that may be able to pull at the heartstrings of even the most hardened of viewers. The movie frequently shows how important Jimmy is to others and how much he impacted them and society as a whole.  Moon Manor almost plays out like an indie, queer version of Forrest Gump , watching an unlikely figure make his mark in the world in ways no one expected. However, Moon Manor contains an authenticity that Forrest Gump never had.

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Moon Manor has a feeling of tranquility about it, with its blueish color palette and slick cinematography. There is a vibrant earthy feeling to this film that is most prominent whenever a mysterious, hooded figure known as The Intuition makes an appearance. The performances are another major strong point. Carrozo is showcasing himself, and it's almost impossible to not fall in love with him throughout the film's runtime. Wilson, who is mainly known for being a cast member on Mad TV , shines here, delivering a performance that is at once over-the-top and nuanced. The rest of the ensemble is obviously having a great time in a film that is as bizarrely funny as it is heart-wrenching.

The only real negative aspect of this film is its few pacing issues, especially in the first half. Some scenes of conversation go on for way longer than they have to,  breaking the spiritual trippiness  that the film usually evokes. If the final cut of the film had about five to 10 minutes removed, it would possibly be a perfect film. Nevertheless, Moon Manor is still a heartfelt and humorous look at life and death that introduces the many talents of James Carrozo to the big screen.

Moon Manor opens in limited release and On Demand March 11.

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ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

Female Film Critics 24/375

MOON MANOR – Review by Valerie Kalfrin

A comedy-drama about a subject – euthanasia – that can weigh a sentence like a lead balloon, Moon Manor is somehow whimsical, witty, and stirring enough to take flight. Making their feature debut, writer-directors Machete Bang Bang (TV’s I.R.L. ) and Erin Granat pull off this unlikely mix thanks to a thoughtful script and a marvelous cast, anchored by an enchanting lead performance.

James “Jimmy” Carrozo also makes his feature debut in Moon Manor as Jimmy, a character whose colorful stories were based on parts of his own life, the end titles say. Yet this biographical connection doesn’t account for the range of emotions Carrozo shows, from impish humor to fear, confusion, and love. He’s delightful company.

Set in and around a Victorian house, Moon Manor takes viewers through the last day of the onscreen Jimmy’s life. Living with Alzheimer’s disease, Jimmy plans to die that evening – but first, he’s invited friends and neighbors to a party he calls his “FUN-eral.”

As he explains, he always thought it was stupid for people to miss the one party where others say how great they are.

The filmmakers take their lead from the free-spirited Jimmy’s tone, yet also manage to slip in poignant musings from the people around him. His guests include drag performers, talk-show host Rikki Lake, a couple he met during an eclipse, and two churchgoers (Richard Riehle, Office Space , and Galen Howard, Brooklyn Nine-Nine ), who protest assisted suicide.

Also on hand are his caregiver, Remy (Reshma Gajjar); a death doula, Fritti (Debra Wilson, Star Trek: Prodigy ), who plans to guide his spirit; and Andrew (Lou Taylor Pucci, You ), a local journalist whom Jimmy invited. Relegated to writing obituaries, Andrew is thrilled to interview a subject who is still alive. He and Jimmy form a believable rapport, with Pucci’s understated performance showing that Jimmy is a person Andrew won’t soon forget.

In his youth, Jimmy sold land on the moon as a novelty, similar to people buying a loved one a star in their name. It was like selling hope, he tells Andrew, watching people feel like children again.

Yet before he was the “moon man,” he was a musician who met the love of his life, Ricky, in the sixties while they auditioned for the musical Hair . As he recounts their meeting and other segments of his life, the directors pan through the house to another room, where younger actors reenact those flashbacks. Placing those moments within the house, albeit lit differently to change the setting, adds subtext to Jimmy’s memories, as if they’re with him everywhere.

Jimmy readily jokes about having Alzheimer’s; he tells his guests not to RSVP, as he’s forgotten he invited them. But he’s given his plan substantial thought. When a relative tries to talk him out of it, he says that his thoughts and personality are what he lives for. “If I can’t be me, and I mean everything that means, I just don’t want to be,” he says.

The filmmakers intersperse home videos of the real Jimmy and Ricky from their performances with the overall story and other glimpses inside Jimmy’s mind. A tall, masked figure dressed in silver with a half-moon shape on their head pops up at a few moments as Jimmy’s intuition. Jimmy also literally talks to different forms of himself, the others questioning whether he’s doing the right thing and voicing his fears.

Viewers might not agree with Jimmy’s choices, but the filmmakers create a well-rounded soul whose zest for life seems contagious. Jimmy’s career might not have made him a household name, as he tells Andrew, but that “doesn’t mean we didn’t earn our place in the stars.”

• ← PLAYING IN THE FM BAND: THE STEVE POST STORY – Review by April Neale
• THE INVISIBLE FATHER – Review by Joan Amenn →

Valerie Kalfrin

Valerie Kalfrin is an award-winning crime journalist turned freelance film writer whose work appears at RogerEbert.com, In Their Own League, Script, The Hollywood Reporter, and other outlets. Also a screenwriter and script consultant, she’s passionate about challenging stereotypes about gender and disability. Let’s tell better stories and tell stories better.

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Moon Manor (Biography, Comedy, Drama) (2022)

Director: Machete Bang Bang, Erin Granat

Writer: Machete Bang Bang, Erin Granat

Stars: James 'Jimmy' Carrozo, Richard Riehle, Debra Wilson, Reshma Gajjar

In a celebration of life... And death, Jimmy hosts his FUNeral, inviting important friends and family on his final evening.

Written and directed by a duo of female filmmakers in their debut, "Moon Manor" is a true-ish story of James Carrozo's life featuring real moments and footage of him and those close to him. It's been released limitedly in the U.S., produced by KnifeRock Productions and Minutehand Pictures, while distributed by Good Deed Entertainment. It can be streamed on Amazon, Apple TV, iTunes, Vudu and Google Play.

Fly me to the moon, let me play among the stars – Frank Sinatra

Contact information

Mark de Graaf T : +31 0639889981 E : [email protected]

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2021 Directed by Machete Bang Bang , Erin Granat

Sometimes learning how to live is learning how to die.

Today is Jimmy's last day alive. His Alzheimer's is worsening, so he's decided to die like he has lived - with intention, humor, and zest. In his last day on Earth, Jimmy will show an obituary writer, his death doula, his estranged brother, his caretaker, a surreal being, and the guests at his fabulous FUN-eral, that perhaps the art of living is the art of dying.

James "Jimmy" Carrozo Lou Taylor Pucci Richard Riehle Debra Wilson Reshma Gajjar Galen Howard Cullen G. Chambers Roz Hernandez Kit DeZolt Lian Ben Porat Chris Trouble Delfosse Victoria Montoya Heather Morris Junely Dunbar Naz Red Lourdes Sánchez Christopher Cegielski Takato Yonemoto Sean David Christensen Machete Bang Bang Erin Granat Rick Granat Raphael Luce Marcus Flowers Karlee Eldridge Rick Darge Spencer Squire Miles Crawford Malie Mason Show All… Jolyne Lowery Chad Hladki Demetri Belardinelli Don DiPetta Akemi Look Tatyana Kabealo Brady Michael Gentry Urian McHugh Katie Rediger Ricki Lake Gayle Rankin Whitmer Thomas Evan Ingersoll John Weselcouch Yuki Matsuzaki Mike Geraghty Charlie Scovill Cathy Chang Courtney Nichols Lev Reys Cydne Clark Steve Granat Guillermo Lopez Sean Wing Mitch deQuilettes Yael Lasry Lucy Page Diana Davis Dyer Bay Dariz Sergio Lizarraga Patty Brissenden John Brissenden Marc Granat

Directors Directors

Machete Bang Bang Erin Granat

Producers Producers

John Humber Bay Dariz Machete Bang Bang Erin Granat

Writers Writers

Editor editor.

Machete Bang Bang

Cinematography Cinematography

Jacob Bojsza

Costume Design Costume Design

Phoenix Mellow

Good Deed Entertainment

Releases by Date

22 apr 2021, theatrical limited, 25 feb 2022, 11 mar 2022, 18 jul 2022, releases by country.

• Theatrical limited NR
• Digital NR Good Deed Entertainment

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Popular reviews

Review by NotAnnaFaris ★★★★ 5

"You've shown me what kind of death I could have. That's better than telling someone what kind of life they could live."

Objectively, Moon Manor is probably a 3.5 / 5, but subjectively? It's fkn WOW-TOWN 🤩

I'm head over heels in love with Jimmy's character, the supporting characters are charming, this film is lovely & insanely quotable for a first-watch, &...

....I just happen to passionately believe in bodily autonomy 😬 Ya know? Having a say in the matter. ("Not to be confused with the cult.")

Coincidentally, I started openly talking about this topic pretty candidly with my closest family members a few months ago...& Tbh, not a single one supports me. Not the ones who've guided beloved pets…

Review by 1bl15 ★★★½ 2

The short version: Let's have a gay old time(r)! A death doula, bible bro protesting saviors, a vulture author, a minibar selection of f(r)iends of different strokes (microdosers to former cellmates) flock to Jimmy's luminous lunar bazaar to frolic at his FUNeral .

"What could be greater than owning a lunar crater?"

The slightly less short version: Cards on the table; euthanasia, Alzheimer's, planning funerals and having to deal with religious ruckus are all themes that are currently very pertinent in my life. Obviously that influences my review. So if these subjects are completely alien to you, take this review with a pint of (bath)salt.

James "Jimmy" Carrozo is excellent in first feature film (lead)role (and that at 84!) . His…

Review by BrashBelle ★★★★½ 3

“It’s amazing how memory works. Just like moments suspended in time.”

A celebration of life, cultural diversity, and a good entry into queer cinema. The actor playing the main character makes an awesome debut late into his life. The movie is based on his life experiences. I had a blast watching this funny lighthearted film until it sledgehammered me and now I’m ugly crying. A beautiful film visually and philosophically.

Review by Parker Brennon 🎬 ★★★½

“ I’m having a biodegradable uterus made. I wanna be stuffed back into it. I wanna go out like I came in .” - Fritti

A new indie oddity, exploring death with a blend of heaviness and humor. I discovered this film thanks to my favorite podcast, Ghosted! by Roz Drezfalez . Roz has a small role in the film and interviewed the lead actor  in an episode earlier this month. The film is even more effective knowing that many parts of the story are inspired by Jimmy Carrozo’s (the lead actor’s) real life. I’ll go ahead and confirm, I cried a few times. The ending is especially powerful.

Review by Lockehutch ★★★★★

I don't think I've ever said this about any film, but I think this is my favorite film I've ever seen. I wanna watch this again already. I don't know what else to say.

Review by joshrowley ★ 1

Alliterative; annoying; cheap; cringey; flippant; goofy; low-budget; underwhelming; unrealistic.

Review by Shane Lavner ★★★★½

Though not every subplot is fleshed out as much as I’d like and one major subplot never receives a proper resolution, Moon Manor delivers a unique and compelling take on life, death, disease, and what it means to be oneself through fascinating character and an immersive world. The humor almost always lands, yet never intrudes on the heartfelt, deeply resonant core of the film that makes this one a quirky, memorable, and universal story I’m thankful I got to see.

Review by 😿Andrew Chrzanowski😿 ★★★½

☆ "Don't bother RSVP-ing. I've already forgotten I invited you." ☆

NOPEtober 2022 – Film #2 of 31

THIS is exactly the kind of random NOPEtober movie I've been hoping for. Joyous and wild, unique and vivid, and portraying the kind of characters easy to love, Moon Manor is quite a trip. From the minds of Erin Granat and Machete Bang Bang (née Elizabeth Brissenden) – a team calling themselves "KnifeRock" – this fantastical but fact-based feature is a journey to death but in all of the best ways. Comparisons to the magical Dick Johnson is Dead are apt, even if this suffers from not having quite as steady of a hand as the genius Kirsten Johnson.

Jimmy (James Carrozo) has lived…

Review by Hilary Smith ★★★★★

A ‘coming of death’ story that’s incredibly inventive, moving, heartfelt and touching. Beautifully crafted, too. This film needs to be seen.

Review by Tessa Smith ★★★½

Overall Moon Manor is a beautiful celebration of life and death. It is unafraid to dive into some heavy topics like disease, and if medical aid in death is humane or not.

In all honesty this is something I never really thought too much about, but I believe my stance on it has changed after watching this film. Everyone should be entitled to go out on their own terms. Sure, loved ones might be hurt by it, but when we lose those we care about it, it is going to hurt. Something like this should be a personal decision and completely up to the one who is dying.

FULL REVIEW: mamasgeeky.com/2022/03/moon-manor-movie-review.html

Review by LilGuy ★★★★★ 1

striving to be as sure of myself as jimmy is

Review by SCP_5073 ★★★★

A truly unexpected and wholesome story about celebrating life and death together as one.

This is a strangely vibrant, eccentric and open-minded film that, while it may have certain tonal inconsistencies between scenes, it does extremely well to illustrate every facade of this old man named Jimmy Carrozo. It slowly builds out by introducing every necessary character in Act 1, which then evolves into developing their varying connections to Jimmy in Act 2, and thoroughly tunnels towards an exploration of certain conflicts and conclusive closures between Jimmy and those he has around him in Act 3.

It is a story that not only highlights on how certain elder people deal with Alzheimer's, but shines a light on how important it…

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By Jason Delgado | April 1, 2022

Benjamin Franklin once said, “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” Death is a frightening prospect for most people to think about, and rightfully so. Who knows when it will strike, how, and what exactly happens after this existence? What if we could control the how and the when?

C0-writers/co-directors Erin Granat and Machete Bang Bang’s  Moon Manor  is about Jimmy’s (played with a zesty eccentricity by James Carrozo) last day on this earthly plane. With his Alzheimer’s worsening every day, Jimmy decides that he wants to go out on his own terms via assisted suicide. He’ll shuffle off this mortal coil by laughing and partying with his loved ones at his own “FUN-eral.”

The general tone of the majority of the movie is light and comedic. The filmmakers fill the narrative with fun little odd touches, such as a surreal character who appears to Jimmy in visions and is quite reminiscent of Frank the rabbit from  Donnie Darko . Despite the humorous tone, there’s also room for heavy meditations on life and death, given the subject matter. This adds an emotional layer that most comedies just don’t have.

Another cool and unique aspect of  Moon Manor  is that the role of Jimmy is actually based on the real-life of Carrozo. It adds an air of authenticity to the proceedings. Jimmy Carrozo, both the character and the actual person, is an openly gay hippie with a flair for the dramatic (such as inviting religious protesters to his “funeral”) and a love for sharing stories about his wild life.

“… Jimmy decides that he wants to go out on his own terms …”

A wide-eyed, young obituary writer named Andrew (played perfectly by Lou Taylor Pucci) is part of the FUN-eral. He’s there to document Jimmy’s final day for a headline article that Andrew hopes will be his big writing break. Carrozo and Pucci play off each other quite well, while the Andrew character is a wonderful gateway for the audience to learn about Jimmy’s life and hear his stories. As Andrew’s fascination and care for Jimmy grows as the movie goes on, so too does the viewers’ affection for the elderly man.

Assisted suicide has been a controversial, hot-button topic ever since back in the days when Doctor Kevorkian (aka Doctor Death) was dominating news headlines. If someone is in extreme pain, be it physically or emotionally, due to a condition, what right do others have to tell someone suffering that they have to continue living that way? That’s the stance of  Moon Manor , and it makes sense, despite all of the societal and religious stigmas surrounding suicide.

The two religious zealot characters of Gordon (Richard Riehle) and Terry (Galen Howard) are hilarious, pitch-perfect caricatures of “Jesus freaks.” This is another great writing device because these characters allow Granat and Bang Bang to show the debate about suicide authentically, organically, and humorously.

The exceptional cast is rounded out by the caring characters of Fritti (Debra Wilson) and Remy (Reshma Gajjar) as Jimmy’s death doula and caregiver, respectively. They’re both there to make Jimmy’s transition to the other side as smooth as possible. This is another thing that lends credence to assisted suicide because it’s shown as being done in a humane and caring manner.

Moon Manor  might not seem like it is for everyone, given the topic. But hopefully, it will be seen by a wide audience because the beauty of cinema is that it can show us different perspectives.

Moon Manor (2022)

Directed and Written: Erin Granat, Machete Bang Bang

Starring: James Carrozo, Lou Taylor Pucci, Richard Riehle, Galen Howard, Debra Wilson, Reshma Gajjar, Ricki Lake, etc.

Movie score: 8/10

"…cool and unique..."

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Moon Manor Movie Review: A Truly Beautiful Film

By: Author Tessa Smith

Posted on Last updated: March 7, 2022

Moon Manor is an extremely entertaining movie about life, death, and going out on your own terms. It is a beautifully done, heartfelt film.

Moon Manor is a heartfelt film that is touching in many ways. A coming of death story that is unafraid to talk about the power of going out on your own terms. James Carrozo stars as Jimmy, and is absolutely wonderful. There are a few issues, but even with those, this movie should be seen by everyone. Perhaps it will allow everyone to make the best of their lives while they are still here.

This movie is powerful, moving, and honestly a whole lot better than I expected it to be. The premise is an interesting one. Jimmy (James Carrozo) has Alzheimer’s and as his condition worsens, he decides that he wants to go out on his own terms. Jimmy puts together a FUNeral so that he can celebrate his life with those that have been a part of it, and even invites his estranged brother.

An obituary writer is also in attendance — for the first time being able to interview the deceased before they go. This is one of my favorite plot points of the film, and the way that it warps up is perfect. 

Moon Manor follows his last night on Earth, while also exploring a bit about his past and how he got here. The final twenty minutes are absolutely beautiful. At the end of the film it is revealed that the majority of this film is based off of events from Carrozo’s real life, and this is the way he hopes to end things when the time comes. 

This film really takes the term celebration of life to a whole new level. Jimmy truly goes out with a bang, fully embracing himself, his life, and his friends. 

Related: Nine Days Movie Review: A Unique Film That Captured My Heart

There are a few small things here and there that do not work with Moon Manor but the biggest one for me is how a main plot point never gets resolved. Perhaps that is relative to real life — not everything will be solved when it is our time to go. Still, I was very intrigued by the inclusion of Jimmy’s brother and I wish there was some closure there. I know this is very vague, but I don’t want to explain too much for fear of spoilers. 

Overall Moon Manor is a beautiful celebration of life and death. It is unafraid to dive into some heavy topics like disease, and if medical aid in death is humane or not. In all honesty this is something I never really thought too much about, but I believe my stance on it has changed after watching this film. Everyone should be entitled to go out on their own terms. Sure, loved ones might be hurt by it, but when we lose those we care about it, it is going to hurt. Something like this should be a personal decision and completely up to the one who is dying.

You’ve shown me what kind of death I could have and that’s better than telling someone what kind of life they could live.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

About Moon Manor

Sometimes learning how to live, is learning how to die. On his last day alive, Jimmy will show his estranged brother, salt-of-the-earth caretaker, sharp-witted death doula, a novice obituary writer, a cosmic being, and the guests at his FUNeral that sometimes the art of living just may be the art of dying.

An exploration of what it means to have a “good death” and inspired by the life stories of 84-year-old lead actor James Carrozo, MOON MANOR is the debut feature from female filmmaking duo KnifeRock, and marks the first original score by Coldplay producers The Dream Team.

In Theaters and On Demand: March 11, 2022

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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.

The Duo Behind ‘Moon Manor’ On Making A Movie With No Studio & Their Lifelong Creative Bond

It was roughly ten seconds after I first met one-time Uproxx writer Erin Granat in person that she said, “I can’t wait for you to meet Jimmy!”

This statement was made totally devoid of context. It could have been about her boyfriend. Or the chef at the incredibly weird (and very fun) house party she was throwing. Or one of the many musicians who had ditched their various tours and studio sessions to play for free in her living room.

But Granat wasn’t in a rush to introduce me to any of those folks. She wanted to connect me to Jimmy Carrozo, an octogenarian actor.

To be fair, “octogenarian” sounds vaguely like a pejorative in that context and it’s very much not intended that way. And “actor” doesn’t pull its weight in the sentence either. Carrozo, who I’ve gotten to know better in the years since, is more of a life artist — an unbridled spirit who brims with verve in a way that reminds me of stories told by the Merry Pranksters about Jack Kerouac’s muse, Neal Cassady .

I didn’t meet Jimmy when he arrived at Erin’s party — he was on mushrooms and not feeling particularly social. I didn’t even glimpse him until indie music darlings The Vista Kicks took the makeshift stage to play some songs from a then-unreleased album. The band led off with a song that felt ripped from the ’60s in which the four harmonizing hippies argued with their imaginary parents about their lifestyle and long hair. During the instrumental breakdown, Carrozo leaped from a plush velvet chair and bellowed, “NOW BOYS, your mother and I have talked about this and as long as you’re under our roof…”

From there, he rattled off a monologue that I got the sense very few of the stoned party attendees fully savvied. But for me, it was one of the greatest spontaneous acts of creativity I’ve ever witnessed. Carrozo had clocked the words of the song and used its bridge to position himself as the antagonist father made real — bellowing his reasons why the boys should get haircuts and real jobs. It began at the perfect spot and ended right before the (somewhat bewildered-looking) band exploded into harmony again. An impromptu version of “ Father & Son .”

I was deeply moved and reminded Erin to introduce Jimmy to me before I left. She did and though our conversation was brief, Carrozo made a point to tell me, “They’re making a movie about me.”

“I can see why!” I replied.

The “they” in that sentence was Erin and her longtime best friend, kindred creative spirit, and writing partner, Machete Bang Bang. And this spring, that movie came out. As a film, it’s a fascinating experiment. A movie about a real person (Jimmy), playing a character (named Jimmy), who is planning his own death in the face of Alzheimer’s (an affliction that the real Jimmy does not have). Footage from Jimmy’s career is used extensively, as is some private home video (Jimmy was in a long-term creative and romantic partnership with Erin’s biological uncle).

As a project, it’s equally engaging. Erin and Machete made the movie with a mix of well-known and lesser-known actors in the vintage indie fashion — on a very tight, borderline frayed shoestring. They maxed out credit cards, borrowed money, and used Granat’s home as the primary set. This is not a studio-backed indie made for $15 million with stakeholders giving notes. It’s a movie that feels every bit as buttoned up and well shot as mainstream indies but doesn’t carry the formulaic structure that so many of those movies feature. Or the randomly shoehorned ideas of execs.

It’s weird and wooly and creatively brave. I loved it.

It’s also a hell of a choice for two first-time filmmakers. A meditation on death and, more accurately, life starring an 80-something. The film features a “death doula” — guiding Jimmy toward the end of his life — and an obituary writer, played by Lou Taylor Pucci. There are hallucinations and spiritual conversions but nothing is neat and tidy. Lessons are served but we’re left to digest them ourselves.

After attending the premiere and having my wildly waving arm missed by the post-movie panel moderator, I was thrilled to talk to Erin and Machete about the movie, its production process, Death Doulas, and the incandescent star that is Jimmy Carrozo.

I think one of the interesting things about independent film now is it’s almost come to this point where it’s like if you’re not a Marvel movie, you’re an independent film on some level. Many of them seem to have 12 or 13-million-dollar budgets and are still produced by really big production companies and studios.

This is a different scale. It still feels completely buttoned up and it’s shot beautifully, but it’s truly independent. You had the final cut and didn’t have to answer to anyone creatively. Where did the audacity to do this completely independently come from?

Machete Bang Bang: This is the only way I know how to do it! We both didn’t go to film school. We both started figuring it out ourselves individually and then on some projects, together. I don’t know the ways of the big studio…yet! I would like to though! This is a shout-out to Marvel. Hello, Marvel. I would love to know your ways.

Erin Granat: Right. Find us. We’re ready!

MBB: Erin, you want to add on to that?

EG: I love that you start with that question. There’s a difference when people say “indie” now, they generally mean a visual tone. They mean more of a look and the filter of film grain rather than the “indie spirit.”

The actual concept of indie filmmaking, straight-up early 90s style where you’ve got a couple of grand and you make a whole movie with your friends, it does take audacity. Not to say it isn’t done anymore, but to make a movie the way we have, fully independently, and get to the point where we have a big distribution deal and we’re on major platforms, it’s a massive feat.

As Machete said, we didn’t go to film school, so we didn’t necessarily have all the formal steps ingrained in us on the way things are done. Which I think was a benefit to us. We were bold because we didn’t have anyone telling us we were wrong. But I think the audacity really comes down to the storytelling.

For me, going to Sundance and watching independent films, I would always see this through-line, it rarely has anything to do with the production level. It has to do with the story that’s being told and how convinced you are by the actors, and how invested you are emotionally. And when that’s what makes something really capture you, it actually has nothing to do with how big of a set and how many fancy camera moves you have. And I think just leaning into using what we had available, which was Jimmy, and was the house I lived in, and our really awesome crew of pirate filmmakers.

MBB: It’s also our community. We know so many talented people — and everybody we asked to come on board thankfully said yes — so that also helped majorly with being resourceful. At the end of the day, you have to give yourself that opportunity. You have to say yes to yourself. Always begins with that true inner belief, right? And as the classic line from Field of Dreams goes, “If you build it, they will come.” And they did!

I think one thing that’s really interesting about independent filmmaking to me or your version of independent filmmaking to me, or the film you’ve made is we are so used to really nicely polished stories, right? Like Pixar just knows how to mention the thing in act one that’s going to get buttoned in act three, and all these little moments are going to conspire to create some sort of pathos. They’re great at it, but it doesn’t always read as sincere, right?

Within the “indie” convo, I thought that your movie actually also had a very interesting format. There’s no true consistent antagonist. There’s no deep resolution of the brother narrative. Jimmy doesn’t come back and tell us what the word that was on the tip of his tongue was, which he referenced earlier… There are all these little roads that don’t necessarily have to lead anywhere. Which feels true to life.

That to me was an example of creative freedom that was well utilized. So I guess I just want to know your approach to the script, to the movie, what was hanging on the bulletin board that you two said to each other every day as you worked on the writing? What did you want people to walk away with? What did you feel were your biggest narrative risks?

EG: Calling a spade, a spade, we did fully have the conversations about how much we were breaking all of the Save The Cat and Hero’s Journey rules. We definitely had those conversations and we were also like, “If everything continues as we hope it will with our careers, this is our chance to break all the rules.” We don’t have a studio or a preexisting audience that expects a certain type of story from us. And I think we also just knew from having already done a lot of projects through to completion, to the edit, that there’s this certain soul and heartbeat to a story, that it doesn’t always fit in those categories.

Eventually, we realized that this story also informed those more classic narrative arcs. They’re actually there. It’s just not how you’re used to seeing them. We’re saying in the first minute of the movie the main character’s going to die, and then he dies. He has no Hero’s Journey. And he doesn’t have a big change. He has a moment of fear and doubt, but he doesn’t go through any of the steps of the Hero’s Journey, refusal of the call, etcetera. But Andrew, the reporter, played by Lou Taylor Pucci, does. He’s fully changed by the end of the movie. The religious protestor sidekick character has a full arc. So the classic structure elements are in there, just more layered.

We also had the boldness of each other’s ears. We were the only ones giving notes. We’ve also been friends for so long, we were going to the theater in our tiny Nevada town in 9th grade, watching the one movie that would be released each week, we have such a shared reference library. When we were writing it was like, “Remember that one scene in act three of Harold and Maude when this thing happened? Let’s capture the spirit of that.” And just while I’m on the Harold and Maude subject, I think films such as that, which Machete brought into my sphere in making Moon Manor, which we’re both just completely in love and obsessed with. It breaks all sorts of rules that you’re supposed to do in storytelling, and yet it’s so satisfying.

The end of Harold and Maude is obviously that line, “ go and love some more .” I felt like there were some “go and love some more “moments in this, especially with Jimmy and the reporter at the end, which I thought was really beautiful.

MBB: We really trusted that this experimental way of showcasing memories and having a 90s-type ensemble would work. Instead of flashback memories, they happen within the actual scene. You’re taken on this carousel ride within this house a little bit. The Hero’s Journey isn’t a full tactic we used for the main character, he stays his course, and most of the characters stay their course except a few. A great example is Empire Records , not everybody changes within that movie. All the characters pretty much stay themselves, it’s what happens around them that helps create their choices. It’s about all of them coming together to save the record store. And that also helped as a reference point. How many people truly change in a day? So that lent itself to opening up what would happen in this movie. Who would come through this man’s door? Who are the ones to change? And that’s where we got creative with the execution choices as well.

You referenced Empire Records, and “Sugar High” — that movie’s impromptu dance number — is a great example of something you do, where you break the fourth wall and restore it without much commentary. I loved those moments of, “Oh, can we do this? Let’s do it!” Because film audiences are smarter about film techniques than they’ve ever been, right? And they’ve seen fourth wall breaking, and they’ve seen period pieces where people use modern slang. And they’ve just seen every iteration of it. It felt like you had high trust in regard for the audience, which I think works really well.

MBB: We definitely trusted the audience and that the exposition we used would land. We’re going to allow you to have your own interpretation yet create a story that’s fun to watch. I think that’s the real balance. How to set a pace of allowing the audience to feel, absorb information, not make it boring yet not dumb it down. It’s a dance, that’s for sure. I guess that’s why they call it “the craft.” And our movie has a lot of talking heads, so that was a real feat. Most of the scenes are characters sitting and talking. How do you keep an audience engaged within a whole movie where everyone is sitting around? Time to get creative! Cue the moon creature!

EG: In a way, it’s a more European approach where everything doesn’t have to get wrapped up in a bow. And looking at when you’re really focused on one moment in a world, it gives you so much more time to build that world, right? We weren’t trying to track the last 10 years of Jimmy’s life. We honed the story into one day, which allowed us to have the big act breaks and the big turns actually be really subtle, that feels much more true to life.

This movie is “about death” but it’s also about somebody who’s lived this incredibly full life. It’s not a 22-year-old father of three dying. That’s a really hard story to watch. There’s room for levity in Moon Manor . It was a coming-of-age story in many ways, and of all the screenings we’ve had, it seems like so many people are cracking out of their shells to literally laugh in the face of death. And through the prism of Jimmy and his life, they realize how big and weird and wonderful death can be.

The psychedelic experience hangs very heavy over the whole movie. There are sly references to acid, mushrooms, and DMT. And there are no psychedelics in the movie, but it’s clear that had been — whether part of his journey in real life or just on camera — that that was a big part of Jimmy’s story.

EG: Well, one of the original inspiration texts for the whole story is the Psychedelic Guide To The Book of the Dead, which is a book of Jimmy’s that is his go-to manual for how he’s lived and that he wants to be read to him as he dies in real life.

So you’re talking about Timothy Leary’s psychedelic version of the T ibetan Book of the Dead . Is that right?

EG: Exactly. It’s Leary and Ram Dass before he was Ram Dass [ Richard Alpert ]. In real life, Jimmy wants to go out like Aldous Huxley and take a hero’s dose of acid on his deathbed. So I think the thing that was tricky with the film is as much as psychedelics infuse Jimmy’s real life, and we wanted it to have that spirit in the movie, we had to balance it with more of a psychedelic philosophy and approach to life rather than actually seeing characters doing psychedelics, because we didn’t want to lose the audience. We’re already asking them to take this leap of faith and go on a journey of celebrating that he’s going to end his life.

MBB: This is also our brains. This is how we think. A lot of people ask, “How did this happen?” Well, these are just the ideas that organically came up. And yeah, we definitely are hippies. All of us are. And with Jimmy, we see this happen all the time. Someone will meet Jimmy for the first time and they don’t know what to expect, right? They know he is a great guy, they’ve heard about him and then they meet him. Watching people get to know Jimmy, it’s the same thing as this movie. He just creates a safe space where any idea can flourish, any way of being is allowed. And on the psychedelic note, we all have had personal experiences with psychedelics. So we’re talking from experience, but not trying to, as Erin said, strong-arm folks, and be like, “Do psychedelics, people!”

Speaking about Jimmy, I remember going to Erin’s party, and it’s this young Hollywood party, and there are cool people there, and there are all these attractive people — it’s a weed pairing and there’s a chef. And just all the elements that you’re like, if you wrote about this about Hollywood in a magazine in the Midwest, they would be like, “Wow, it’s so wild and cool out there.” And the person that she is championing is this… Jimmy is an 84-year-old, right? He’s the one person she wants everyone to meet. Tell me what the Jimmy magic is that made you two say like, “Oh, our moonshot, our bet on ourselves is about a movie about an elderly man ending his life!” Because there are not many movies about the elderly. There are not many movies by young filmmakers about the elderly. That’s an even smaller group. And then if you’re like, people taking their one big Eminem moment — this is your one shot — on an elderly man. What was it about him?

EG: We’ve seen so many coming-of-age movies over and over, like the teenager, young adult coming of age, especially with debut features. And we both have experienced death up close and personal. And that was just what we had in our hearts to tell. And Jimmy’s legit one of our homies, one of the inner circle people that we hang out with. And we’d cast him in almost everything we’d ever made — individually and together — because he’s just such a good fucking actor. It’s insane what a good actor he is. But he’s never had his day in the sun. We wanted to give him his big moment.

In our previous projects, he always got the best, biggest audience response. Anything you post about Jimmy gets the biggest response. I mean, I have a family connection to Jimmy, he helped take care of my grandmother who was one of my best friends, and he was my real uncle’s life and creativity partner for almost 20 years… But I think the magic is because I feel like our connection to seniors and the elderly is generally just your grandparents, and to have someone as a peer who’s an octogenarian and yet has an ageless spirit and mind, so much energy even as his body ages, I think when you’re making a big swing, your “one shot” — for your film, for your novel, whatever it is, it’s “What do you have in your life that really is unique?” For us it was as subtle as we have an 80-year-old best friend, that was more than worth building a project around.

MBB: He is one of the best actors I’ve personally ever worked with as a director. I was introduced to him a long time ago through Erin and her family, but then was reintroduced to him as an actor when we shot one of Erin’s TV pilots and she brought him in to play one of the supporting actors. And he was just fucking killer. After that I put him in pretty much everything. He just gets it. I don’t have to direct him. You know what I mean? He is so professional but brings a je ne sais quoi that you obviously can see when you watch the movie.

We’ve had a lot of people say, “You’re not going to get any money for doing this movie with this kind of actor at this age.” And Erin and I wink at each other because once they see or meet him they’ll understand that he’s an ace up the sleeve. And then they see or meet him and do understand because he’s unbelievable. This is me also being like, “People, hire him! Because he’s incredible.” He is so passionate about acting. He is so passionate about art. That is his life, right? He is living art all the time.

EG: Our other muse was people who work in the death industry. Like the obituary writer character, Andrew. He’s the straight man representing the audience’s experience. When writing we were like, “Okay, this is a pretty common device. The reporter who’s coming from the outside in.” But the more we would read about obituary writers, we watched a documentary called Obit that’s really fascinating about New York Times obituary writers, and we were just fascinated with that profession. And as death is trending, death doulas becoming the zeitgeist thing, you don’t hear too much about obituary writers who have been doing this forever. And there’s a line in Moon Manor where the reporter says that “you’re my first pre-dead interview.” That’s a real term that they use, the pre-dead interviews they have on file for famous people so that they’re ready at a moment’s notice when they die. So I think we were really into exploring that idea and also couldn’t really think of a movie where you’ve seen an obituary writer get to have a leading role. There’s a line where Andrew says like, “How they died is just one line. The obituary is really about how they lived.”

I loved that.

EG: We really wanted this film to be an entry point for as many people as possible, not just speaking to our own community who maybe have already embraced these ideas of curating your own death, or even the idea of having your own funeral, or a death doula and all these things, and having a drag queen at your party. We wanted it to be as accessible to as many people as possible.

MBB: Andrew, the second lead, is a straight-laced, all-about-his-career kinda guy. And I think for a young professional, that’s just what life is. We’re constantly career-driven and are so focused in our vision that sometimes it’s hard to see outside of the work track. So when Jimmy tells Andrew, “Write it anyway. The story will find its way,” it’s almost honoring our younger selves. There’s more than this one story. Or one way. There’s more than this idea of a specific idea of career. Having a younger, polished and eager character does lead the audience in, but he’s also really an extension of us. His first feature on Jimmy also incidentally happens to be our first feature.