Why Not Me?

***Why Not Me?*** is a 218 psychological drama film directed by T.T. Gregson, written by Milo Lake, and starring Cooper Eastwood, Susan Gilmore, Korey Goodwin, Lisa William, Lucille Weston and Kit Lincoln. The film follows 26-year-old New Joleo barista Daniel "Danny" Stanford (Eastwood), who is invited to the wedding of his best friend and lifelong love interest Maria Adams (Gilmore). Following the wedding, he develops an unhealthy obsession with her out of jealousy and regret that takes over his life, believing that he should have married her instead. The film, a co-production between Canadina and Noda, was produced by Decor Pictures, along with Gregson's new production company Heaven 7 Productions. Awoe Pictures acquired the worldwide distribution rights, releasing the film under its Awoe Classics banner.

Lake, traditionally an actor in fast-paced action films (including Gregson's own *Blood Vision*), wrote the script in 211 during production of *Storm Bane and Tsunami*. It appeared on the 212 Black List before Decor Pictures eventually picked it up in January 216. Gregson, who was Lake's first choice, was signed on as director in October. Gregson saw the film as a departure from many of the others he had directed, considering it simpler, "more down-to-earth" and more human. Filming took place in March 217 throughout the Vancina—Winity metropolitan area over the course of three weeks on a budget of $8.7 million, the lowest any film in Gregson's filmography.

*Why Not Me?* premiered in competition at the 56th Cookwood Film Festival on May 5, 218, as the festival's opening film, winning the Grand Jury Prize for drama. The film opened in limited release across Noda, Canadina and the Northern States of Caronana on July 29, 218, before expanding to a full release two weeks later on August 12. The film received critical acclaim for Gregson's direction, its screenplay, film editing, musical score and the performances of the cast, especially Eastwood and Gilmore, and has grossed over $100 million. It was also named one of the best films of 218 by LinFFA and the Canadinan Board of Review.

*Why Not Me?* received multiple awards and nominations. At the 85th University Awards, it won Best Actor (for Eastwood), Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing, and was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Score and Best Sound Editing.

## Cast

* Cooper Eastwood as Daniel "Danny" Stanford, a 26-year-old barista who lives and works in New Joleo
* Susan Gilmore as Maria Adams, a 27-year-old pilot and Danny's best friend since elementary school and his love interest, whom Danny forms an unhealthy obsession with when she gets married to Charlie
* Korey Goodwin as Charles "Charlie" Green, a 29-year-old flight attendant and Maria's new husband whose relationship was kept secret from Danny until the two's marriage
* Lisa William as Lily Davis, a 26-year-old amateur film critic and barista who Danny has been in an unhappy relationship with for three years
* Lucille Weston as Vivian Stanford, Danny's 46-year-old mother, a middle school teacher
* Kit Lincoln as Stanley Green, Charlie's 51-year-old father and Maria's father-in-law, who maintains a close relationship with Danny when Maria and Charlie move to Winity
* Barry Brooks as Travis Connolly, Maria's 27-year-old co-pilot and Danny's "mortal enemy" since he had a fling with her nine years prior
* Clara Cosenza as Alice Piacentino, Danny's therapist who was born in and admires Gali, Maro
* Mary Marcus as Aunt Susanna, Danny's aunt
* Anna Louise as Hayley, Danny's cousin
* Peter Storm as Marcus, Danny's cousin

Ray McCalvin makes a short cameo as Danny's late father Clancy Stanford, while director T.T. Gregson and writer Milo Lake make cameos as Danny and Lily's boss and a clerk at Brayley Airport respectively.

## Reception

### Critical response

Most critics considered *Why Not Me?* to be Gregson's best film since *Blood Vision* (200). On the film aggregation website FilmView the film has a score of 94% based on 348 reviews. The site's consensus states, "A shocking departure from T.T. Gregson's previous works, *Why Not Me?* is terrifying and intense in all the best ways, supported by Milo Lake's engrossing screenplay and incredible performances by its talented cast." Audiences polled by CinemaScore during the film's limited release gave it an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale; upon going wide, it earned a "C" score, the lowest for a film directed by Gregson.

Frank Lewis, in his "A"-grade review for *Stones*, said that the film "perfectly (and rather scarily) explores the dangers of obsessing over a forbidden lover in a way rarely seen in film, never glorifying the horrifying reality that its themes present" and noted that "perhaps the most realistic part is that [Danny] is not presented as a lovable, reasonable character for a large portion of the film". Many other critics also praised Danny as a character, especially Eastwood's portrayal — in her more critical review of the film, Amber Maria of *The Boat* wrote that she "could see potential in [Eastwood] receiving a University Award nomination for his performance" (he eventually did) and said "he works well with all he is given, portraying Danny's subtle devolution into an obsessive, relentless monster naturally and dangerously".

Some critics, however, criticised the film for the same reasons. *The Diamond Times*'s Johnny Williams wrote: "Danny is never redeemed, never told that he is doing terrible things nor does he ever figure out so. The obstinate monster he becomes as the film progresses becomes just that: a monster. An unfeeling, unrealistic monster." This review received notable negative reception online, with many stating that he had missed the point. Williams released a rebuttal a week later, which was also criticised; Twitter user @OnlyNoOnes, for example, noted that "[i]t's ironic that a film critic can't take criticism himself".

Gregson's direction received critical acclaim but some critics felt it did not fit with the rest of his filmography. Lily Lee of *PeterHarvey.com*, giving the film three-and-a-half stars out of four, said that "Gregson is traditionally known for his fast-paced action films, and isn't one of those. He knows what he's doing but, personally, he would have not been my first choice for director." Similarly, William Parker of *The Maple* said that "*Why Not Me?* sticks out like a sore thumb in [Gregson's] filmography. It's not filled with special effects and no one is killed, which is admittedly disappointing considering that his name was all over the marketing." Conversely, Lucy Samson of *The Wolf*, giving the film five out of five stars and considering it Gregson's best film, called *Why Not Me?* "a brilliant way for T.T. Gregson to branch out and prove to the world that he doesn't just make bombastic action movies".

### Accolades

*Main article: List of accolades received by Why Not Me?*

Upon its premiere at the 56th Cookwood Film Festival, the film received the Grand Jury Prize for drama. It was also the runner-up for the Audience Award, losing to *935K*.

*Why Not Me?* won three of the seven University Awards it was nominated for: Best Original Screenplay, Best Actor and Best Film Editing. It was additionally nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Score and Best Sound Editing. It was named one of the best films of 218 by LinFFA and the Canadinan Board of Review.

## References

1. ↑ "Cookwood Film Festival review: Why Not Me?". *The Diamond Times*. 5 May 218. Retrieved 12 September 218.
2. ↑ Harrington, Lewis (12 May 218). "Twitter users react to Johnny Williams' "ironic" rebuttal of his 'Why Not Me?' review". *EntertainmentPortal*. Retrieved 12 September 218.