Many critics seemed very negative about this film because it uses a well-worn storyline—a person facing death decides to bring their family together—without offering anything particularly new or remarkable. I, however, found it enjoyable. Susan Sarandon and Sam O’Neill almost always deliver good performances, and the rest of the actors were believable in their roles. There's plenty of humor present, including some dark jokes from the character who is dying, and I thought the writing was strong. Even the minor characters felt fully realized; I didn’t notice any cardboard cutouts among them. I suppose my expectations aren't as high as those of some of the prominent critics whose work I follow elsewhere. What I look for is to be amused and not feel talked down to, and this movie achieved both of those things. As an aside, I saw this film right after The Goldfinch. Perhaps I should have watched Birdman instead to finish off a trilogy of movies about birds?

Source on TMDB