Meet Sophie Birenbaum. She’s one of the most relatable characters you’ll see in a movie this year. Played by Sunny Sandler, Sophie is absolutely intriguing, and in filmmaker Julia Hart’s moving drama, Don’t Say Good Luck, Sandler shines as brightly as the sun that probably inspired her name.
For a film that is immersed in high school theater and the students who participate in live performances in their school’s big show, there’s something lacking in the portrayal of the difficulties of the acting experience for everyday teenagers.
Having said that, Sandler carries Hart’s movie in a big way, making it a winner despite its lack of realism in certain particular scenes of the picture.
Melanie Lynskey as Sophie’s mom, Elizabeth, gets to have her nuanced work showcased in Don’t Say Good Luck, and it’s the actress’s best turn in some time. Elizabeth has recently come to terms with the fact that her life may be shortened by cancer sooner than was expected.
So, the big question mark is: when is the right time to tell Sophie?
Don’t Say Good Luck works best when it focuses on its more sincere moments with the mother and daughter characters. Though there is some fun to be had in the moments where Sandler’s character performs her role in the school production of Waitress, the most sincere moments come from the familial relationships that are portrayed in the movie.
Young actor Jack Champion serves as Jack Davis, the guy that Sophie has a crush on. It’s only a high school movie, but the movie misses out on a few attempts at creating a really romantic connection between these two students. Instead, we get a cute series of scenes between them that only really work to serve the logistics of the plot.
This new movie is peppered with cameos and small performances by well-known character actors and actresses. For example, Bebe Neuwirth and Steve Buscemi play the grandparents while Jon Lovitz’s character works at the local deli.
Buscemi gets to play a funny scene where Sophie doesn’t want the grandfather to drive her home, as Sophie wants to go for a ride with her crush.
This scene rings 100% true and is absolutely enjoyable. Although you have to look closely to find great scenes in the parts of the movie that don’t directly involve the mother and the daughter.
Stephanie Beatriz also shines as the teacher, Ms. Parker, though one will wish Beatriz had more screen time than she ultimately gets in this film.
Don’t Say Good Luck is salvaged by the earnestness found in the relationship created on-screen by Sandler and Lynskey. Both of these actresses give their roles their whole heart and soul. Because of that, it’s easy to be won over by the joys found in the simpler things in life, which this movie very accurately portrays.
Seizing every moment of life’s unexpected opportunities is the basic message of Don’t Say Good Luck, and it’s quite a valid one. Both lead performances drive this message home to viewers in every possible way.
Sandler can capture the awkward nature of being a teenager quite efficiently in her work in this role. Aside from Sandler’s mannerisms and upbeat personality, the movie takes its themes about holding on to the joyous opportunities in life so very seriously.
Sunny Sandler has found a home at Netflix with her recent body of work. She may be ready to reach out for roles beyond those in movies featured on the popular streamer.
Still, the actress loves what she does, and it shows, making the movie a better time than it could have been with a less proficient actress in the lead role.
Most audiences will be OK with the behind-the-scenes stage action in the presentation of the musical within the movie. There just seems to be one too many moments that capture awkwardness than there needed to be for a fully successful film.
Though specific moments within the picture feel forced, the presentation of the mother-daughter bond is the saving grace of Don’t Say Good Luck. It is a little movie that could, delivering tears and laughs in equal doses.
Don’t Say Good Luck is now showing on Netflix.
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Thomas Duffy
Thomas Duffy is a Critics Choice member who has written film reviews for most of his life, starting at age 11 when he crafted his first full length movie critique on the film, "Roxanne," a Cyrano story featuring Steve Martin. As a result of that review and other movie obsessive writing, Thomas was awarded a creative writing award in sixth grade. Thomas is the proud author of nine books, including two highly acclaimed novels, "To Never Know" and "Social Work." Thomas can be found on X (formerly known as Twitter) or at a New York City movie theater watching the latest hit or independent movie. You can also run into him at Tribeca or at the New York Film Festival.