The Best You Can

An optimistic film that feels truthful about aging, even if it doesn’t say anything we haven’t heard before.

Sedgwick and Bacon are visibly delighted to be together, and we buy Cynthia and Stan’s connection even when it feels underwritten.

Its sometimes rushed pacing and overstuffed arcs often work against the meaningful messages at the core of the story, particularly the ending, but with enough charming moments and soulful performances from its cast, particularly Bacon and Sedgwick, it really toes the line between being a must-watch and an acceptable skip.

Bacon plays a little and sings a little, Sedgwick handles jokes and pathos and in the scenes that count and turns “professional” in a heartbeat. And each gets across a shared empathy and humanity that bridges any gap in class and life experience.

With strong performances and a fresh premise about an unexpected friendship in middle age, but far too many creaky comic tropes, the uneven film is always watchable but never pops off the screen in a gripping way.

Lacking focus in the writing and direction, the film ultimately falls short of crafting a satisfying journey for the viewer to follow.

It’s clear that the irrepressibly charming Sedgwick and Bacon love to share the screen, and it is an absolute joy to watch their effortless chemistry. I just wish it were in a better picture.

Talk about meet cute: Kevin Bacon plays a security guard who tries to foil a robbery by breaking into the home of a client (Kyra Sedgwick). Their relationship develops as he reveals his health issues and she happens to be a doctor. She’s also married to a much older man (Judd Hirsch) who’s experiencing dementia. Of course, the inevitable happens when the couple’s friendship goes deeper. This is the first time in 20 years that this husband/wife duo has been in a film together and their chemistry is still solid. Bacon turns in a pleasing performance, while Sedgwick glows with light and energy. Writer/director Michael J. Weithorn (best know for creating “The King of Queens”) has created fun banter to amplify their relationship, while not getting too deep into the emotions. This film isn’t especially memorable, but it’s enjoyable to watch Bacon & Sedgwick expanding their long-lived relationship.