Here Today (2021)

Here Today (2021)

8/10

Starring

Billy Crystal

Tiffany Haddish

 

Directed by Billy Crystal

 

Only ventured to see this movie because Billy Crystal’s name was all over it. Not only did he star in it, but he also co-wrote, co-produced, and directed the film. The chemistry between him and Tiffany Haddish drives the fun-loving joy of this movie. Here Today is funny, heartwarming, and, if you’re not careful, it might even make you shed a tear.

Here Today is a comedy-drama about a popular, well-established comedy writer who is suffering from dementia and hiding it from everyone. The magic of this movie lies in watching an unplanned meeting blossom into a friendship that turns out to be exactly what Charlie (Crystal) needs.

The plot opens with a sense that something is wrong with Charlie, whose wife has passed away. We’re drawn into a flashback where he is asked to identify himself. In the present, Charlie works on a popular show. Although he’s no longer heading the writing staff or contributing much, his presence and experience still hold value. He’s scheduled to have lunch with someone who won the opportunity in an auction. That’s where he meets Emma (Haddish), who attends the lunch after stealing her ex’s ticket. She doesn’t know who Charlie is but knows her ex idolizes him, so she wanted to deny him the privilege.

During the lunch, after introductions and explanations of how they both ended up there, Emma has a severe allergic reaction and has to be rushed to the hospital. Since Emma doesn’t have insurance, Charlie pays the bill out of pocket. She promises to repay him in installments, and her unplanned visits to deliver these payments lead to an unlikely friendship (not a romantic one). Emma becomes the first person outside of Charlie’s doctors to learn that he has dementia. The story unfolds as we see how Charlie’s family reacts to the friendship and how his condition gradually worsens.

There’s no need to dive deeply into the acting—it’s exceptional. Everyone delivers performances that perfectly suit their roles, which is a testament to the power of good casting. The plot is well-written, avoiding unnecessary twists and turns. Instead, it focuses on letting the story unfold naturally as those around Charlie come to terms with his challenges.

This movie is easy to recommend for fans of comedy-dramas, Billy Crystal, or Tiffany Haddish. I enjoyed it more than I planned to, it is one of those movies that slips through the cracks.