User reviews

"My life had been a complete failure sure, but at least I could get my death right." Ted (Scott) has given up. His marriage has just fallen apart and he is left with only one option. He is returning to his hometown to tell off his old teacher, fight the man that bullied him in school and then kill himself. After finding the teacher, things don't go as planned and he starts to re-think his plan. This movie is surprising. It is at once funny, sad and entertaining. I expected this to be a very funny movie, and while it had its funny parts the movie is much more sweet and heartfelt that I expected. This deals with some very heavy issues, but in a way that it doesn't seem preachy or in your face about it. I did like this but it wasn't what I was expecting, not that that is a bad thing. Overall, a funny and heartfelt movie that wasn't what I thought it was going to be. It was better. I give it a B.

This movie is just like so many other movies... but then it's not. It's quite transparent and obvious, but equally entertaining, well paced and emotional, with quite a few pretty hilarious moments.

While it is in no way epic, and does not answer any deep questions or will change the way you think or influence your life in any way, it will leave you smiling for a while.

Decent story, nice funny moments and pretty great casting (imho). I very much like most of the characters, some well known actors and very good behind camera work from Courteney Cox, no less.

Definitely a recommendation for a dull evening, especially if you're feeling blue. Very positive energy.

Well, first of all the film is hilarious. A little crass and dirty at times, but nonetheless, truly hysterical. It's the films saving grace.

The subplots abound and at times feel a little preachy, but the film still has it's heart in the right place and it's never, ever dull.

Sean William Scott is perfectly cast, and other casting choices were also spot-on.

This film falls in that late coming of age slash cali-alt humor genre.. King of Cali, everything must go, seeking a friend, or jeff who lives at home mold. And much like the latter 2, it's solid. These can certainly be hit or miss, but i laughed and smiled my way through 80% of this film.

Certainly worth a redbox considering all the crap pictured next to it. See it!

It's daring. The film tackles some heavy subject matter in some politically incorrect ways, but thanks to the humor we all shouldn't take any of it too seriously - besides the film does have some positive messages thrown-in there - they're just a bit dampened by the whole crassness and in-your-face humor. It bites off a little more than it can chew, but it's still a very funny and enjoyable film that could barely catch the back-end of a top 25 for 2015 if this year keeps on stinkin'

"i'm gay, dad, not blind."

I love this movie. Realised on the second viewing how much of an ensemble this is, as the script is concerned with the lives Scott's central character touches on his journey to suicide. The cast is amazing. Scott is at a career best here, with Thirlby, Dillahunt, Walsh and Riggle bringing so much life to their characters. It's a beautiful script from Flebotte, at times hilarious and moving, and Cox manages the tone perfectly. Easily one of my favourites.

As others have said, surprisingly good movie. I liked Sean William Scott before, now I respect him. It wasn't just him though--really, all the characters were genuine, and made me like them/the story. Sure, the humor is juvenile (my 65 year old mother wouldn't like it either), but I was cracking up throughout the whole thing so...

The main plot is predictable, but the side-character interactions are gold (sometimes hilarious, sometimes oddly touching). I feel like the casting/writing/acting were all so good that the cookie-cutter plot (depressed lonely guy, by huge coincidence meets beautiful depressed lonely girl) was pulled off quite nicely.

Overall, quality. Very enjoyable film.

After reading the synopsis... I thought that I guessed the whole plot, that it would be cheesy and just bad. I'm happy to admit that I way totally wrong. I loved it. The crass jokes worked, the bad jokes were "so -bad-they're-good" and the good jokes, well... can you see the pattern?

This was a heartfelt touching "dark" comedy that still remained light. It touched the larger subjects with ease, the smaller subjects with humor and the all around goodness of the movie came through.

I cried at the end, which isn't something new since I cry at all touching movies (good or bad just as long as the moral is well portrayed), but it was a "good cry". Common ladies, you know what I'm talking about here, don't leave me hanging. Just a really good flick. Way to go Courtney Cox, was not expecting that at all...

What can I say about this movie, well it had really crude juvenile humour that I did not find funny and never do. For example: making "retard" Jokes. Courtney Cox (director) seems to be self aware however and even has characters say; "actually I find that offensive" That doesn't correct a bad joke, it's more saying my bad, we didn't have something better to say... The film did have a good message, but it could have been presented with less sharp edges.

This should have plummeted my rating of the film except for the fact I really liked the main characters. Scott is a likable guy and I have never disliked him in anything. I have also gone through my own depression in life so I identified with his character and the message of relishing what is good in life. Olivia Thirlby may also be the sweetest woman alive! I quite liked her character and they have good chemistry together..

But hey, this is no masterpiece, it's full of bad humour that just isn't funny... You can pretty much guess the outcome of every plot line. But its got likable characters and it didn't drag..

Overall: Enjoyable easy going film, with some faults.

Somehow Courtney Cox managed to capture some of the everyday complications of life, parenthood, sexuality, marriage and adolescence and shaped them into a wonderful piece of beautifully twisted dysfunctional art.

Fine performances from everyone in the cast. Especially Sean William Scott as I am used to his 'stiffleresque' performances. He really shined in his performance which was quite refreshing and a good change of pace.

I wasn't sure what I was walking into when I sat down to watch this film but what I discovered was a rare gem of a film.

Great job Courtney Cox. A truly unexpected find this film was.

Excellent character creation, simple but thought provoking concepts.

Those expecting something like American Pie will be disappointed, its kind of more a movie for grownups.

Dramatic comedies are super hard to get right. Too much humor and the drama is overshadowed, too much drama and not enough laughs and the humor seems totally misplaced. The mix here, is really well done.

The humanity of everyone involved was awesome.

I was expecting a lot less, I just got watched it as a time killer and was so pleasantly surprised. In the same week I watched Jupiter Rising which was kind of the opposite quality.

Characters you didn't care about. A ridiculous plot that required all common sense being suspended.

Surprisingly funny movie about a guy who goes back to confront his past before he takes his life. He visits old teachers, his brother, mother, his high school bully and an old flame. Many of these people were part of his troubled past but he learns a lot about why people acted the way they did. Their lives wound up being a lot more screwed up than his. This movie has some mature themes so it's not for everyone. I was laughing out loud for much of the movie, but that alternated with some really touching scenes. Overall I found it very entertaining!

Just Before I Go is one of the silliest, pointless films I have ever watched.

There was one particular scene, where the character Greta is talking to the character Ted during what was supposed to be an intense, high-drama scene. The syrupy, ridiculous and silly words that come out of Greta's mouth were so inappropriate for the scene that I was instantly embarrassed for her that she had to say them, and I alternated between being embarrassed for Courtney Cox to being angered at Cox that after seeing that scene so many times during the performance, dailies and screenings she said to herself, "Yeah, that's good" and included it in the film.

The lines that were meant to be jokes missed their marks by a long shot, with some even being insulting, like a running gag about someone becoming a "retard." Sure, a minor character does pop his head up and says he finds that word offensive – ya think? – but that hardly makes it OK for the use of the word and the way it is used. And to be sure, I am not someone who is caught up in political correctness; quite the opposite.

I feel the worst for Olivia Thirlby, who is a classically trained actor, having trained extensively in classical Shakespearian acting in New York at the American Globe Theatre, and in London at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Why on earth would she accept a role like this?

If this is the best work Courtney Cox can do as a director, she needs to go back to acting and leave directing to professionals who know what they are doing.

There is a reason this film grossed only $8,129 for its US opening weekend. Heck, you could put your home movies on a few screens around the country and gross more than $8,129.

This movie is terrible.

I really loved this movie. It had so many different character types that all played together very well and made a really great story line. I loved the plot. When my sister brought the movie home and told me what it was about I was kinda freaked out... but I think they took a gloomy situation, and situations that are very real and things that people really struggle with, and brought light to them. It reminded me of the show shameless in some way. With all the family dysfunctions. But at the end of the day, what is more important than family?? I laughed a lot, and I even cringed at some parts. I honestly cant think of anything that I dislike about the movie!

The movie started of smoothly but in a mysterious intriguing way ... gives you his life story in three minutes and then 3 weeks earlier like a classic leap flashback to confront his own predators in the past. The idea of the movie is new to me,,The plot is unpredictable, yeah you might say he'll try to kill himself and somebody will save him or stop him in the last minute or something like that ,, but the story in between where he tries to get even with his old bullies and how the events evolve it could get so Unexpectable. The Comedy and the Drama is so properly balanced switching in between,,

Courteney Cox has trained herself well on "Cougar Town" directing a couple of episodes but here she made something really good, also with a guy with broad experience like David Flebotte it all went really good. And in one of the final scenes where he's about to die in the lake was so sensationally emotional,, and in the end is a bit funny how "Lucky" reacts :D

As for the cast; Seann William Scott is usually this dorky funny character but here it's so different with his stable personality but a bit angry at the world was hard to digest :D :D .. Garret Dillahunt gosh i love him since "raising hope" he went so full on hilarious.

So overall,, the movie is not full drop on your back laughing kinda comedy but it really has a nice new story ,, so it's worth to be watched.

There are many laughs to be had and the acting and settings are on point enough never to detract you from the movie. Sean William Scott plays a relatble character that keeps you in engaged and laughing through the entire movie. The supporting cast is equally as fun to watch as the movie unfolds. Rob Riggle and the bother in the movie are fun to watch. I have seen countless movies that do not entertain half as much as this one. They touch upon issues that are faced by families in today's day and age. This should of been released in the movies as I wouldve paid to see it. Easily worth the price of admission. Keep up the great work SWC.

I'm a fan of Sean William Scott, which made the Courtney Cox directed film worth seeing. It's been a while since I've seen Scott in a movie. I think Goon was that last one. I liked Goon, and this was no Goon.

Courtney's directorial debut had some really good laughs so for that it is a good watch but you have to be patient. It does not happen off the bat it takes a while.

Somewhat a dark comedy about an empty looser who wants to tie up loose ends before he kills himself, it's actually very light and most of the good laughs don't comes from the dark humor but the toilet humor the glazes the picture. That makes the American Pie star perfect for the role but Cox under used that.

It feels Made-for-TV so it's worth seeing if you come across it while channel surfing (if people still do that)

Courtney Cox makes her directorial debut in Just Before I Go starring Seann William Scott (Ted) as mild mannered 41 year old who returns to his home town for some final preparations before he commits suicide.

Ted has never felt right since his father died when he was a kid and although a pet shop manager in LA he feels his life is in a rut especially since his girlfriend left him. Haunted by memories of the high school bully, the teacher who tormented him at school he returns to stay with his brother and confront some of these people.

What Ted finds that life is messed up in his home town. His brother, a police officer is obnoxious, might be having an affair. His wife sensing his infidelity breaks into Ted's bedroom at night and openly masturbates in the guise of sleepwalking, his nephew is closeted gay but hangs around bullies.

His old teacher is in a nursing home, the high school bully is now a single parent raising a disabled child. Ted realises that things have changed but is still unsure about himself. He has an affair with a girl who was nice to him at High School even though she is a married mother of five kids and her weight has ballooned.

This dark bitter sweet comedy actually does not start off promisingly and also not very original. Scott gives a low key performance as Ted, miles away from his character in the American Pie films. The film has just too much contrived zany characters and although the film finds it soft centre eventually it does it with a lot of wonkiness and without much laughs.

Being a Sean William Scott fan I thought I'd watch this movie and boy am I glad I did. I was dubious at first as Courtney Cox was directing it but I gotta admit - she nailed it. This movie hits on many layers in life, some things you'll relate to, others you won't but you'll understand where it's coming from. It's a dark comedy drama with some smutty but funny humour that will either have you laughing out loud or looking on in shock. This movie is not only great acting, writing and directing but it has many hidden messages in it which makes you think about your own life, family amongst other things. Acting wise this is Sean William Scott's best movie. I cannot recommend this enough and I hope it gets the recognition it deserves. You rarely wake up the following day thinking what a great movie you watched last night - well, this is one of them.

This film tries hard to be funny with the use of foul language and some crudity...but unlike Seans older films, it fails miserably. Total fail