Ms. White Light (2019) User Reviews

An existential comedy about grief

[aarpcats · 7/10 · 16 January 2022]

Lex helps the dying in ways family members cannot. Family members give them pablum and lies. Lex tells them what will happen and doesn't pretend it's going to get better. She treats them as people at a time when no one else does.

Compassion comes with a price, and Lex is exhausted from paying it. What she needs is to want to live as much as her dying patients do.

This is a warm-hearted small film with a big message about grief and renewal. It is carried by Roberta Colindrez (the bright spot in "I Love Dick"), who knows how to show both Lex's sardonic exterior and her breaking heart.

I liked it.

Hard to explain

[cudax · 7/10 · 16 November 2021]

All of the cast members were unknown to me, but the story was unique. Acting was outstanding.

I find it hard to sum up my reasons for liking it...not particularly uplifting. Not a typical feel good movie either, but overall I just found it worthy of praise, especially near the end , when Lex makes a joke that changes the entire mood of a grieving couple.

get rid of the cards

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 12 October 2020]

Lex Cordova (Roberta Colindrez) works for and lives with her father to counsel the dying in their last days. She's sardonic and bitter. Somehow, her darkness allows her to connect with her clients and work through their fears. Nora and Val (Judith Light) are two of her clients.

Colindrez is playing the character wrong. At first, I thought the character is autistic. They need to get rid of the cards. She's studying them like she's autistic or suffering from OCD. It would be better if she has memorized them from her father. She's smart enough to do that. The point is that her character is too blunt to speak normally with normal people. That's the angle. She is too blunt to live.

The dying would prefer to talk bluntly especially about their fears. That's the reciprocating angle. She can still be sardonic and bitter. Her performance is off slightly and it throws the movie off-kilter. One can see the best version of this movie seemingly just out of reach. It needs some small calibrations. There is great humor going with both Nora and Val. The dad needs to chill a little. I totally get where Spencer is coming from but that ain't happening in a million years. For that to happen, we need another actress.

Actress to watch

[ks-60500 · 5/10 · 30 October 2020]

I think the story itself ok, more on the actress spice things up at a lot. She got a quality or movie face totally. A comedian is born this way. Please do some comedy next.

Great story, well told...

[andletlive · 8/10 · 11 January 2022]

Very well written, with minimal flaws. The direction is very good, as is the acting of its few characters. The story is very original, entertaining, and involving.

The theme is very unusual, closure when someone is dying, with an off-the-wall approach, not exactly a drama. It is unrealistic, with unusual characters, charming and funny, but not a dark comedy. It's more like a light farce, but one that forces very serious questions.

The focus is not on the tragic, nor on the gross aspects of death. The movie insulates us from that, and amuses, while making one think. The focus is on the philosophical -- with an small "f", very down to earth. The story pulls us in a gentle manner, with some laughs, but constantly touching on sad aspects. Yet, its not a sad story, nor a comedy either, nor too deep.

One has to be in the mood, of course. Even in this light approach, death is a difficult subject. A topic most people tend to avoid, till it it forces itself close, when one is hardly ready. But that's part of what this movie does, in a gentle and kind way, with laughs that distract, make us think about it -- as we should sometime.

I am very glad I watched it.

...star star star star star and so on

[gaalswijk · 9/10 · 6 October 2020]

I can honestly say I have never seen this story told on film before, and how rare is that in a world of non-stop content? Director Paul Shoulberg's film is a haunting tale detailing the constant struggle with our own mortality, and our reluctance to accept our eventual fate. Carried by the daring lead performance from Roberta Colindrez, Ms. White Light is an early favorite as one of the best films of 2019. this is part of the review by aaron B. Peterson the only review listed on this site.

Whell a lot of people are missing out at the moment of a really great movie. A difficult subject with a lot of humor addit to it.

"You hired a complete stranger to help your mother die!"

Dazzling set-up, wonderful characters; philosophical, romantic and complex

[andrewbunney · 9/10 · 20 October 2021]

Ms. White Light is a very black comedy where a father and daughter team run a business, "Mortality Solutions". She is Lex, a young woman who counsels terminally ill clients that are having trouble letting go. She delivers bereavement services in a novel way. She has a gift with the dying, though not the survivors or anyone else in the world.

Lex is a great and loveable off-beat character but her Dad is fully supportive of his daughter and he appreciates her talents in the business. Unfortunately Lex is really looking for a man at the same time as she tries to exit her role at 'Mortality Solutions'.

These are wonderful characters that could have been played by Steve Martin as the father and a young Frances McDormand as Lex, but they wouldn't be any better. Writer director Paul Shulberg has created a dazzling set-up, and his story of Ms White Light Is philosophical, romantic and complex. It is a fine example of enchanting independent film making and is further enhanced by a charming soundtrack including standouts Leave You- Midnight Sister, Sad Song - Richard Swift (and another) and Smoke Signals - Phoebe Bridges.

What a beautiful film and message! Thank you!

[TruthSeeker4Life · 10/10 · 8 October 2020]

This is what movie making is all about. Its all about making something that has a purpose and real meaning that gives people the chills because it address topics that are so taboo and people are so afraid of discussing. This film has such an amazing message with a lot of funny and comedic parts as well. The main actresses and actors did an amazing job, especially the main actress and the young girl at the beginning did such an amazing job.

If any of the actors are reading this, along with anyone else who made this film, you are on the right path because you are making something meaningful and producing something that touches on things that people need touching (non-creepy touching of course). The most famous actors can make all the violent and superficial movies, but in the end, when things are all said and done, you've made ART while they've just made mind numbing entertainment, you've made something that makes people feel, and they make something that makes people distracted from feeling what is going on within them. Thank you for choosing integrity rather than superficiality.

One of My favorite movies

[abondgirl · 10/10 · 30 January 2022]

This movie was a little gem. Roberta Colindrez was amazing in this. I loved the subtle humor. I laughed several times throughout the movie. It really made me think and made me care about the characters. I thought the acting and writing were both great. I thought it was a beautiful, uplifting movie that made me laugh and I loved it.

Quirky Stage Play

[mewhammer · 8/10 · 12 May 2019]

Great performance by all the actors. The movie could easily be performed as a play with its stark scenery and well paced conversation.

THIS is original and creative!

[bierbreth · 8/10 · 10 March 2022]

While some of the acting wasn't stunning, the writing and story flow moved me. Some great characters, and great dialogue. This film is what I always want when I choose to watch an independent film. Well worth a watch!

The 300 lb White light in the room ... and its okay.

[ricdesan · 9/10 · 18 June 2022]

This is a rare confluence of vision, story and simple filmmaking that exposes the imperfection of a process that is unique to us all and how the twists of life deliver to us the grit or will or determination to make everyones ending as much as a miracle as their beginning.

Within such film magic is the raw and riveting human emotions that Roberta Colindrez and Judith Light bring to the everyday pace of life's winding down that rings true in the viewers gut even in the face of the unique skill and situation Lex finds herself in.

The pace and the emotion sometimes on the surface and sometimes so deep lend this gentle story weight and trust that creates the magic and reminds the viewer to not take anything at face value and to understand we must all take this journey and do with it the best that can.

And for all this the movie begs to be seen and once experienced leave an imprint on your psyche. Thank you Paul Shoulberg.

Uneven in total but still...

[ritera1 · 8/10 · 9 July 2022]

...very effective drama/comedy/romance. Well written and acted. Didn't care for many of the director choices as visually it was dull. Sometimes it wasn't.

Many very nice scenes and likable characters. Very vague on the lead's "powers" and nothing on where she got them, as she does NOT talk to the dead. Too obvious on one plot element. Vague on character elaboration for some.