Collateral Beauty

Retreating from life after a tragedy, a man questions the universe by writing to Love, Time and Death. Receiving unexpected answers, he begins to see how these things interlock and how even loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty.

Critics broadly found the film well-meaning but contrived and sentimentally executed, with its intended uplift undermined by awkward dialogue and unintentional humor.

• Howard writes directly to Love, Time, and Death, whose unexpected responses become embodied encounters.
• Howard retreats from life after the death of his child, leaving his friends struggling to reach him.
• The letters and encounters lead Howard toward understanding how loss can coexist with beauty and a fully lived life.
• Howard is a successful New York City advertising executive, while his concerned partners attempt to protect both him and their firm.

• A Christmas Carolshares a grief-centered fantasy premise in which abstract forces guide a withdrawn protagonist toward renewed emotional connection
• The Five People You Meet in Heavenshares an ensemble melodrama about loss, friendship, and unexpected encounters with personified or spiritually transformative figures
• The Family Manshares a sentimental fantasy-drama structure using supernatural encounters to explore mortality, love, and the value of ordinary life

Director

David Frankel

Release Date

2016-12-15

Runtime

97 min

Rating

7.2 / 10 (5636)

What is Collateral Beauty about?

A grieving advertising executive confronts love, time, and mortality through uncanny encounters that reopen his connection to life.

What is Collateral Beauty like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Collateral Beauty as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Collateral Beauty violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Collateral Beauty.

What did critics think of Collateral Beauty?

Critics broadly found the film well-meaning but contrived and sentimentally executed, with its intended uplift undermined by awkward dialogue and unintentional humor.

Which films are like Collateral Beauty?

Films with a similar feel include A Christmas Carol, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, and The Family Man.

How long is Collateral Beauty?

Collateral Beauty runs 97 minutes.

Where can I watch Collateral Beauty?

In United States, Collateral Beauty streams on Kanopy, Howdy Amazon Channel.