TRIGGER ALERT: ASSISTED SUICIDE

Jimmy has lived a full life, but Alzheimer's has taken hold and he’s decided to end things on his own terms. He’s made all the arrangements. He's hired a death doula to guide him on his journey, acquired the pills that will end his life, recruited an obituary writer to record the event, and organized one last party. Moon Manor follows Jimmy’s final day on earth as he recounts a life well spent, hand-delivers invitations to “Jimmy’s FUN-eral,” and prepares for his final send-off. The party itself will be a spectacular affair full of friends, neighbors, and acquaintances whose lives he’s touched. He’s even invited some bumbling religious protestors to add a little flair.

One remarkable aspect of this film is that Jimmy is played by James “Jimmy” Carrozo, who is essentially playing himself. The character and his life stories are all based on Jimmy’s real life. The film obviously takes some creative license: in particular, the compassionate suicide storyline is fictionalized. Though he has said that he would consider such an end if he found himself in a similar situation to the character, Jimmy is very much alive and thriving in real life. It’s amazing though, to think of an actor playing a version of himself attending his own funeral and ending his life.

Moon Manor walks a very interesting line. It is as eccentric as its central character, even goofy at times, but it’s also rather profound. Jimmy and his loved ones go on a remarkable journey over the course of the film and bring us with them. As Jimmy takes stock of his life and his friends prepare to lose someone they love, the film feels so intimate that we almost feel like we shouldn’t be invading these personal moments. Ultimately, it’s the eccentric characters and their profound and intimate journeys that combine to create a truly unique film. One thing is for sure: you’ve never seen anything like Moon Manor.  

~ Steve Weisenreder