
Carlo De Rosa’s new film Finding Joy tells the warm story of a family of eccentric characters in a strangely charming tale of love and loss. Kyle Livingston (Josh Cooke) effectively loses his friendships, home, car, and confidence in an efficient five minute introduction, and the author of “Portrait of a Frozen Family” retreats back to his childhood home to live with his father, his father’s new girlfriend, brother, sister-in-law, and niece. Except his bedroom has been converted into a bathroom. So, Kyle sleeps uncomfortably in the bathtub, staring at his laptop, while haunted by an impending deadline for his next book. He catches the eye of Joy (Liane Balaban), his attractive neighbor across the street who takes an interest in him that builds to an unusual request. She is dying and asks Kyle write a “classy, sassy obituary” for her. To get to know each other for the ostensible purpose of writing the obit, Joy takes Kyle on zany adventures volunteering with the seniors at the local retirement center, donating to the homeless, and having him wear a costume that represents her greatest fear. As he accompanies Joy and develops feelings for her, Kyle also begins thawing the ice at home with his grieving father and conflicted brother.
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