Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life (2011)

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life (2011). 1h 31m | PG

“We have here a creative coming-of-age story with a message that challenges viewers to slow down and enjoy the little moments of life that make it worth living.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe titular Jeremy Fink lives with his librarian mother in an apartment next door to his best friend Lizzy Muldoun. Both have lost a parent and have grown up together – they have a very deep-rooted friendship. As Jeremyu0026#39;s thirteenth birthday approaches, he receives a box with the label u0026quot;To Jeremy Fink: the Meaning of Lifeu0026quot; in the mail from his deceased father. But the box is locked four times, and none of Lizzyu0026#39;s ideas are working to get it open.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eTo make a long story short, the two end up being assigned community service by the local police department. Their services involve running errands and deliveries for a very eccentric gentleman by the name of Oswald. Over time, the pair learn various tidbits of information from the recipients of Oswaldu0026#39;s deliveries, and slowly piece together the puzzle of the u0026quot;Meaning of Life.u0026quot;u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe spot-on interaction and behavior of the almost-teenage actors is enjoyable to both children and adults. There is plenty of good natured humor that everyone can appreciate, and there is enough serious, real life dilemmas to balance out the feel of the movie. The plot is well paced, and while itu0026#39;s no Hollywood blockbuster, it certainly is well done technically and emotionally.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eOverall, this movie takes a story that is enjoyable on its own, and makes something more out of it. It gives something for viewers to take away after they leave the theater – something that hopefully will help them learn to enjoy the small things in life that make us who we are. I give this movie a nine-out-of-ten rating because it has a more lasting impact than just some crazy action scenes and special effects. It actually has meaning and relevance for your everyday human being.”