WRISTCUTTERS: A LOVE STORY (2006) *** DVD capsule by COOP

This sweet-natured offbeat comedy stars Patrick Fugit as Zia, a depressed guy who commits suicide over an ex-girlfriend, Desiree (Leslie Bibb). Zia awakes from death to find himself in a bleak limbo reserved for suicide victims. In this grey-tinged world, no one can smile, there are no stars in the sky and everyone has even lousier jobs than they did in the real world. Zia befriends Russian rocker Eugene (Shea Whigham) and they waste their time together playing pool and drinking. Soon Zia learns that Desiree has committed suicide as well and the duo set out on a quest to find her. While on the road they pick up Mikal (Shannyn Sossamon) who claims she’s in limbo by mistake and wants to find the “PIC” or “People In Charge.” Along the way, the characters learn to appreciate life more than they ever did when they were actually alive.

This could’ve been a huge indie hit in the theaters if the writers had spent more time in crafting a more solid third act. While the sloppy parts kept this from being a masterpiece, this is still a terrific little story with a fantastic cast. It also has a unique mythology regarding the “suicide world” and how it looks and operates like an Eastern European country with a poor economy. Plus, learning how all the characters “offed” themselves is one of the best devices for learning what kind of people they are. Look for Tom Waits as the leader of a hippie commune of wacky suicide refugees (too bad it marks the beginning of the weakest part of the script.

Behold the trailer below…