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Parents' Guide to

Just Say Goodbye

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Unpolished but heartfelt indie about the impact of suicide.

Movie NR 2019 106 minutes
Just Say Goodbye Poster Image

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What's the Story?

In JUST SAY GOODBYE, 6-year-old Jesse Peterson finds his mother dead in bed, her bedside littered with empty pill bottles. Ten years after this devastating day, Jesse (Max MacKenzie) has grown into a withdrawn, artistic teen who lives with his angry, alcoholic father (William Galatis) and is bullied by well-to-do Chase (Jesse Walters) at school. Jesse's only solace is his friendship with Sarah (Katerina Eichenberger). She senses that something is wrong, and he confesses that he's planning to kill himself. He finds great relief in admitting his thoughts, but Sarah is tormented by the idea and desperately tries to prevent him from going through with it. Just when things look their bleakest, Jesse gets a call that an art school in New York may be interested in giving him a scholarship, if he can assemble a portfolio. Is there hope for Jesse?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Though it first feels like a low-budget after-school special, this indie drama quickly shows that it's heartfelt, caring deeply about its characters' feelings. Certainly Just Say Goodbye has its awkward, predictable moments, especially in the beginning, as it sets up themes of alcoholism, school bullying, and suicide -- with all the expected images and ideas. But it's not long before the genuine performances by MacKenzie and Eichenberger begin to resonate. They, and the movie, follow an organic flow of character.

In one scene, Sarah tries to seduce Jesse, to sleep with him if he'll promise not to go through with his plans. The ploy quickly fails, yet the teens are wise enough to explore their feelings around the situation. Rather than a major turning point in the plot, it comes across as just a hiccup in their friendship, a sublime character-building moment. Just Say Goodbye falters more when it actually does employ traditional screenwriting-school plot turns, but not enough to sink the movie. The ending may be surprising, and it will be up to parents to decide whether it sends the right message to teens.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Just Say Goodbye handles the topic of suicide. How does the movie view Jesse's feelings and decision? What are the consequences? When is it important to talk about mental health, especially if you're worried about a friend or family member?

  • How is bullying depicted? Teens: Have you witnessed or experienced cyberbullying or more traditional bullying? What different forms can this behavior take these days? What defenses can you use against it?

  • How is drinking portrayed? Why does the character drink? Is it glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?

  • What are the relationships between parents and teens like in this movie? Are they realistic? Is there communication? How could these relationships be improved?

Movie Details

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