Movie Review: ‘Endless’

Review by James Lindorf

With “Endless” newcomer, Andre Case had the idea to create a ““Ghost”” for a new generation and partnered with O’Neil Sharma to co-write the script. Joining the team is veteran music video director Scott Speer who isn’t a stranger to teen love after working on two films in the Step Up franchise. Case’s tale follows recent high school graduates Riley (Alexandra Shipp) and Chris (Nicholas Hamilton) as they prepare to face the future. When Chris is tragically killed in a car accident, Riley suffers from survivors’ guilt because she was driving. While Riley grieves, Chris is miraculously stranded in limbo with the mysterious Jordan (DeRon Horton) to be his mentor and only friend. The couple manages to transcend life and death and a way to reconnect. Their love story continues on August 14th.

If “Endless” wants to be the next “Ghost”, we will have to look at the tale of the tape to see how it stacks up. They will be fighting in four categories Sam vs. Chris, Molly vs. Riley, Oda Mae Brown vs. Jordan, and intangibles. First, let’s look at the dead guys; if it had to be someone’s story, it would be theirs. Sam was murdered in an apparent mugging that went wrong. “Ghost” was able to play in the murder mystery genre as Sam tried to track down the gunman and the one who hired him. The mystery allows the audience to participate as they work through theories as the movie goes on. In “Endless”, Chris dies in a car accident, while in the middle of a fight with Riley. Nicholas Hamilton is good as Chris, a young man comfortable in his small town and the standard life he imagined for him and Riley. While Hamilton is fine, he is not an icon like Patrick Swayze. Nothing against the kid, but most people don’t have three films that rival the popularity of “Road House,” “Ghost,” and “Dirty Dancing.” While putting in a decent effort, this first round goes to “Ghost”. The murder mystery, combined with a superior actor, was too much to overcome.

In round two, things get interesting because it is another good young actor, Alexandra Shipp, taking on a much more well-regarded actress in Demi Moore. Moore is known for several films from the mid-80s to the mid to late 90s racking up a resume, and Shipp can’t hope to compete in that area. However, when you compare just their roles in these respective movies, Riley comes out on top. She is a character of equal weight to Chris. Riley is actively participating from beginning to end. In contrast, Molly spends most of the film oblivious to Sam and the danger he is trying to keep from reaching her. In a surprising upset round, two goes to “Endless”.

Sixteen people in the history of entertainment have completed the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). One of those people is Whoopi Goldberg. From “Star Trek” to “Sister Act” to “The View,” Whoopi is and has been a star since “The Color Purple” in 1985. DeRon Horton Is beginning to make a name for himself primarily on television. Still, he better have something big planned if he wants to shine half as bright as Whoopi. Oda Mae is the go-between for Sam and Molly, and the story could not progress without her, and she serves as the comedic element as well. Whoopi is excellent, but Oda Mae is another story, and with almost any other actress, she would have been insufferable. In an exact 180, Jordan is the nest part of “Endless”. He is smooth, funny, passionate, and utterly heartbreaking when you learn his whole story. If Case isn’t writing him a spin-off at this moment, then he is messing up. He should travel the country if not the world, helping the newly deceased find their way while working through his issues. I will always love Whoopi, but round 3 goes to Jordan.

The final round deals with intangibles, the “IT” factor that can separate good movies from great. This was the most lopsided round of the night because nothing save for Jordan can transcend beyond “Endless”. “Ghost” has ditto, their unique way to say I love you. It has “Unchained Melody,” an iconic song that is synonymous with the movie “Ghost”. Then, of course, there is the pottery scene that has amazed audiences for decades with its romance and eroticism. Nothing in “Endless” begins to approach these three elements even though they try their best with a cooking scene as an homage to the pottery, but it is to brief and falls flat.
Even though the cards read 2-2 for “Ghost” V. “Endless”, it is clear that “Endless” will not supplant “Ghost” and become the go-to dead lover romance film. “Endless” is a well-acted, good-looking film that has everything it needs to be a significant success on paper. Unfortunately, it is missing those extraordinary little things that could make its legend live on, like the love between Riley and Chris.

Starring: Alexandra Shipp, Nicholas Hamilton, DeRon Horton and Famke Janssen
Written By: Screenplay by Andre Case and O’Neil Sharma
Directed By: Scott Speer
Produced By: Gabriela Bacher, Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Kevin Dewalt, Sean Finegan
Distributor: Quiver Distribution