"Return to zero" (2014, movie)

The film is based on writer-director-producer Sean Hanish’s own experience, as it tells the story of Maggie and Aaron (Minnie Driver and Paul Adelstein) in the aftermath of a stillbirth. Maggie falls into depression, their relationship and their relationship crumbles, and eventually they’re faced with another pregnancy and the uncertainty that comes with it. Cheery subject matter, I know. But if you can believe it, the movie avoids corniness, and there was minimal eye-rolling on my part, which you can imagine is one of the highest compliments for me to pay a movie.
Minnie Driver’s performance definitely helped, and fortunately the script lived up to the star power. It felt honest and truthful to how real people talk about their problems, without relying heavily on cliche or metaphor. She made me really feel for her character, and unlike with other TV movies about serious issues, I didn’t find myself wondering the whole time, “Is this really how it is for people who have this experience? Or is this a total exaggeration?” It was believable and real, and I expect that’s majorly due to the fact that the filmmaker experienced it firsthand.

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