I have to admit, I started with a prejudice against Ashton Kutcher. I should have learned from my initial unsubstantiated dislike of Brad Pitt. He is one of those handsome young men whose movie credentials haven't been impressive. I wonder if perhaps that stems from lack of opportunity. I see a film like this as a transitional one where we can see his acting ability. He does a nice job with the angst and anger brought about by the utter unfairness of life. Bad things happen and justice isn't done and we shouldn't pass judgment on a life if we don't have some real knowledge of that person. I liked the chemistry between the two leads. The relationship with the deaf son was a bit of a reach. There's no reason they communicated so badly. There is written speech, lip reading, and other forms of communication; even the most basic elements of sign language. It makes Kutcher's character seem rather shallow to think that he would spend so much time with this boy and still not literally understand him. Things do get a bit contrived at the end (I won't spoil it), but if you want to take away a single thing from this film. realize the pain that is life and the possibilities that those painful things can hand you.

Hollander's 'Personal Effects' reminded me of 'In The Bedroom' and 'Monster's Ball'. It deals with similar themes of coping with the loss of a loved one. The story is treated with equal restraint. The character development is gradual and in accordance with how the layers unfold. The visuals are very detailed and photogenic. It has a certain poetic feel which is further substantiated by the amazing score. I'm actually in search of the soundtrack.Ashton Kutcher may be an odd choice for the role but I appreciate his attempt to break away from the typecast goofball roles he's known for. Where his acting is concerned, it appears very formulaic. It lacks spontaneity but one can see the actor's effort. It may not be among the best examples of acting but he gets better in the latter scenes and overall turns in an adequate performance. Michelle Pfeiffer easily delivers a natural performance that just seems like a piece of cake for her. The actress knows her craft too well. Ditto for Kathy Bates who stands out in a supporting role. Spencer Hudson is a sincere actor.The only thing that bothered me about this movie is its lethargic pace which is very slow in the first half. The director focuses too much on the closeups when much of it could have easily been trimmed. Moreover, I didn't understand the need to 'maintain the element of suspense' in the end when the viewer easily knew the outcome (hence no surprise)? There are a few plot holes like why Walter didn't empty the gun before returning it to Linda. These flaws are but a few and thankfully they don't dilute the film (as long as one has some patience to get through the first half)

I have just returned from the theater and I must share my thoughts. I was – still am – incredibly moved by this movie. It has been a while since I saw anything that touched me so deeply. This movie is a treasure that has found its way to the audience in the era of thrillers and romcoms. The story is about people left behind after their loved ones have been violently taken away from them. They are trying to find their way back into life, but it is not easy. Each one of them is looking for something that would give the support or direction for this new life that they have to make now. For one person it is a new love that gives sense back to her existence. For the other person it is a hope of justice. Yet another one finds peace in a self actualization.The movie has an incredibly melancholy and soulful tone to it. It is very quiet in spite of the intense suffering that it depicts. There are no loud manifestations or long intense monologues. There are just these people. They look at you through the screen and you can feel their pain and sorrow. These people have lost something irreplaceable, something that, in a way, was a part of their being. How to cope with a loss like that? The world depicted in the movie is a reflection of the human emotions. It highlights the melancholy atmosphere of the movie. There are dark clouds and rain constantly present. The world is grey and joyless, just as the people in it. All in all, I feel that the movie is perfect in its sadness. Still, it shows that there is hope even when you don't see any. The actors gave an excellent performance. Michelle Pfeiffer is wonderful and charming as usual. I must praise Ashton Kutcher. I like his comedies where he usually gets to play handsome romantic fellows, but guess what! There is more to him than meets the eye! Well, there have been movies, like The Butterfly Effect and The Guardian, where it was noticeable that he has a serious drama actor potential. Then there was Spread, which was something new and interesting. This movie, however, brings a whole new level out in him. There was no sign of the boisterous, self confident good-looking young man that he always plays. There was just this sad young man with these incredibly soulful eyes and no apparent aim in the future. Excellent performance! There was, however, one minus. I believe there is a great deal of those who would agree with me on the point. The movie has all the makings of a real drama - in all the senses of the word. It depicts real people in the real world with just as real problems. There are no particular surprises or twists in the story, which in this case I don't consider to be a flaw. It is about the feeling that it brings. Usually I am a fan of happy endings, but in this case I felt a bit cheated. I could see the shooting approaching, but I was still shocked and desperate when it happened. The following scene softened this blow and ultimately spoiled the movie a bit. I suppose that changing the ending of the movie might have resulted in the change of its general message as well, but I feel that it would have suited better.

Personal Effects was filmed in the Vancouver BC area. It was bad enough that the story of this drama was sad & dreary, The weather in the film was equally sad & dreary.I have no objection to a sad, dreary story, BUT there should some light moments, to relieve the tension for the audienceDavid Hollander in his first theatre film, directed & wrote the screenplay,which was taken from a short story by, Rick Moody.The film may have been from a short story BUT it is a very long 110 minute movie.Now we come to the acting, contrary to what others have said. the performances are all first rate, even tho they all have to tend with grief.Ashton Kutcher who usually does romantic comedy is excellent, I believed he was grief stricken. Michelle Pfeiffer is equally excellent as a recent widow & the mother of a deaf mute 20 (or so) year old lad. Spencer Hudson is the lad & this is his first role, a very fine debut. Kathy Bates is Ashtons's equally grief stricken mother.I do not think there is one so called happy person cast.All this good acting does not make up for the dreariness of the script.The movie was released direct to DVD. I was disappointed.Ratings: **1/2 (out of 4) 73 points (out of 100) IMDb 6 out of 10)