The Greatest Hits

Directed by Ned Benson, The Greatest Hits follows Lucy Boynton’s Harriet Gibbons as she’s propelled into the past whenever she hears a song that reminds her of her deceased boyfriend (David Corenswet’s Max). It’s an intriguing premise that’s employed to somewhat erratic yet mostly engrossing effect by Benson, as the filmmaker, armed with his own screenplay, delivers a low-key drama that does, for the most part, eschew the expected sci-fi-friendly attributes in favor of something far more subdued and emotionally grounded – with the decision to emphasize Harriet’s ongoing efforts at coping with Max’s death generally faring better than one might’ve anticipated. (This is due in no small part to Boynton’s confident, sympathetic turn as the compelling protagonist, her shaky American accent notwithstanding.) And while certain plot elements don’t exactly stand up to close scrutiny (eg Harriet couldn’t have just pulled the parking brake?), The Greatest Hits, buoyed by a compelling mystery (ie is Harriet traveling back in time or is all this just in her head?), predominantly comes off as a first-class endeavor that even, on top of everything else, packs a palpable, resonant punch in the buildup to its note-perfect conclusion.

***1/2 out of ****