For an A-list actress, Sarah Michelle Gellar’s film resume isn’t as amazing as one would think. The “Buffy” star has been in plenty of good films, but how many great ones? Oddly, her best might be one that’s under the radar: “Veronika Decides to Die” (2009, but not released in the U.S. till 2015).
Meditation on the good things
The title sounds daring, or perhaps like a dark comedy. But director Emily Young’s film is actually a delicate meditation on the good things in life — even in a world obsessed with work, money and getting ahead.
The screenplay by Larry Gross and Roberta Hanley – working from Paulo Coelho’s 1998 novel – isn’t complex. The title character (Gellar) carries out the titular suicide-by-pills but survives, then learns the value of life from other troubled folks in a psych ward.
“Veronika Decides to Die” (2009)
Director: Emily Young
Writers: Larry Gross, Roberta Hanley (screenplay); Paulo Coelho (book)
Stars: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jonathan Tucker, Erika Christensen
Many other films have had this premise. “Veronika” doesn’t reinvent the subgenre, but it’s a strong example of the form. The movie assumes nothing, and doesn’t lecture the viewer. It doesn’t find humor in craziness, yet it has a lot of heart.
It doesn’t make fun of $75K-per-year office worker Veronika’s clichéd idea that killing herself is a good alternative to predictable, boring ol’ living.
Drama without words
It’s artfully made, achieving drama without words. Jonathan Tucker’s Edward – whose secret backstory is among the things that keep a viewer engrossed – doesn’t even speak. Although it’s not overly indulgent, we could drift away at times on the delicate piano score.
Indeed, a pivotal scene finds Veronika revisiting her skills on the ivories, playing a gorgeously passionate song while Edward looks on, as enthralled as we are.
The writers give complementary arcs to the supporting cast, including “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’s” David Thewlis as the lead psychologist, Melissa Leo as a veteran patient who is doing well, and Erika Christensen (“Parenthood”) as the requisite oddball patient.
Christensen’s Claire – whose quirk is that she likes stars and space — is not as odd as you’d assume from this subgenre. I think “Veronika” slightly missteps by not taking full advantage of this talented actress.
SMG’s best film?
There’s something about Gellar where I buy her in every role, and in her transitions within the arc. She’s subtly great here: Veronika starts off hating life and ends up doing a 180 in 90 minutes, and I believe it.
Gellar is always plugged into the vulnerable humanity of her characters; she draws sympathy from us without noticeable acting tricks. That hasn’t changed as she’s moved into adult roles where her character brings problems on herself, rather than being a put-upon teenager.
With “Veronika Decides to Die,” she finds an adult role worthy of her talent.
