Too Soon

The first big laugh in “Too Soon” comes from a bagpipe. A bagpipe jump scare at a funeral, to be exact, and it tells you right away what kind of movie you’re in for. This is a romantic comedy that begins on the worst day of its characters’ lives and isn’t afraid to find the humor in it.

The movie starts with a sad scene — a funeral. We see Freya, played naturally by Aurora Florence, and Gus, portrayed by John Clarence Stewart. They both lost their loved ones and met on the same day they said goodbye to them. The beginning of the film is really good, it’s funny but also honest. There’s a moment when one of the characters looks around and says, “What is this place? A multiplex of death?” It’s a dark joke, but it feels real.

Later, Freya’s mom says something that’s really awkward, “Freya, you’re holding up the luncheon,” at a time when Freya is clearly upset. It’s so relatable, it’s almost painful to watch. The film does a great job of showing how people can be funny, even in sad moments, and how sometimes people can say the wrong thing at the wrong time.

Florence is the main reason you should watch this movie. She has a lot of charm and her costuming is certainly unique, which tells you a lot about her character, Freya, even before she says a word. When she sings, her voice is similar to Sara Bareilles, and her live performances in the movie are real and a bit rough around the edges. But when you hear the produced songs, it’s clear she has a great voice, and the raw sound fits perfectly with her character, who is still trying to figure out who she is after something sad happened. Stewart’s voice is smooth and soulful, reminding me of Seal, and the way their voices sound together is really good.

The movie’s soundtrack is really its best part. The songs are catchy and they actually help tell the story, rather than just being filler between scenes. I loved this one small moment where Freya’s sister gives her daughter a gift at Christmas; a “sound amplification device”, which is just a fancy way of saying microphone. It’s such a sweet moment, and it says a lot about how music is a big part of their family tradition.

Vicki Lewis is absolutely fantastic as Wendy, the widowed mom of Freya; you know, the one who’s super stressed about that lunch gathering. She brings this amazing, offbeat energy to the role, and her laugh is just infectious. It’s like she owns the whole space whenever she’s in it. If you’re familiar with her character Beth from the TV show “NewsRadio”, you’ll totally get what I’m talking about; she’s just as lovably quirky here.

The movie looks really good and is cleanly shot, and an added classic touch with its simple, modern graphics used that show how time is passing, really worked to keep me watching.

The plot is pretty easy to figure out, and you’ll probably guess what’s coming next long before the characters do. But for me, that didn’t make the story any less enjoyable. Just because you can see what’s coming doesn’t mean it’s not going to pack an emotional punch. The thing that makes “Too Soon” work is that the characters feel genuine, like they’re real people struggling to cope with some really tough stuff.

That’s why the emotional moments feel earned, and it’s what makes the whole experience feel meaningful.

Another really special thing about this film is the people who made it. Florence, the co-writer and co-director, worked with her husband Jeff Dickamore on “Too Soon.” They even used crowdfunding to get the project off the ground. It’s interesting to look at Florence’s background to understand what makes this film tick. She’s been into music since she was 7, training in classical piano and violin. Later, she studied acting and musical theater at BYU. You might be surprised to know that she co-founded Imagine Dragons with Dan Reynolds and worked on their first EP, “Speak to Me.” After moving to New York, her first big job was playing Eliza Doolittle in the national tour of “My Fair Lady.”

All these experiences seem to have come together to make “Too Soon” a unique and appealing film.

Stewart has a really impressive background with roles like Alex Wesley in “Luke Cage” and his standout performance as Simon in “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” — a show that’s all about music, which makes him a perfect fit for this film. He’s actually joining the cast of “Brilliant Minds” as a regular in its second season, which is pretty exciting. On the other hand, Lewis has been in the industry for decades, with a ton of credits under her belt, from voicing characters like Deb and Flo in “Finding Nemo” to playing the iconic role of Velma Kelly in the Broadway production of “Chicago.”

You won’t be blown away by the plot of “Too Soon”, but it’s got some great moments that’ll have you laughing, even in a funeral scene. The music is catchy too, with a few original songs that’ll stick in your head. What really makes this film special, though, is the relationship between Freya and her mom , which is sweet and heartfelt. For a small, indie rom-com, that’s a pretty impressive achievement.

If you’re looking for something to add to your Heartland schedule, this is a great choice. It’s a lovely, feel-good film that’s easy to recommend.