All of us face ups and downs in our lives. But if two life-changing “downs” come along in one day, it doesn’t seem fair at all. My Dead Boyfriend, directed by Anthony Edwards and based on a novel by Arthur Nersesian, shows how Mary, played by lovely Heather Graham, deals with a double loss like this. Along with Graham, cast members Katherine Moennig, Scott Michael Foster, John Corbett and Griffin Dunne try their best to make this unusual offering worth watching. Moennig plays Mary’s best friend; Corbett is the dead boyfriend; Foster portrays a nice guy with new boyfriend potential; and Dunne is a senior citizen with a special interest in Mary.

Although many amusing as well as poignant scenes are included, something seems missing. What could it be? I’ve given that question quite a bit of thought, and the next-to- last verse of my poem below might be the answer.                      

Mary has a very bad day --

a downer in most every way.  

Fired from her job should be enough.

But things soon get so much more rough.

Why won’t her boyfriend talk to her?

He’s in a chair -- but dead, for sure.

And so begins Mary’s sad plan

to find out more about her man.  

What she discovers forms the plot

for “My Dead Boyfriend.” It’s a lot!   

Busy he’s been with other gals

and not because they are his pals.

This story though most promising

does not succeed in every scene.

It’s Mary’s likability

that’s lacking here -- at least to me.  

Still, the film emerges as unique.

So don’t be swayed by my critique.

See it yourself and enjoy the part

where Corbett dances. Now that’s art!   

More about that surprising Corbett dance number. Be sure to watch for it. This talented actor has little time on camera, but he makes up for it with a very funny interpretation of a popular song from A Chorus Line.   

Other props go to Foster and Dunne for endowing their characters with humanistic appeal. They deliver appealing performances as the younger and the older man who both care about Mary.

Also, I believe viewers will enjoy the raucous all-girl band finale presentation of Mary Tyler Moore’s TV show theme song, which seems quite appropriate for the way My Dead Boyfriend ends.     

(Released by Momemtum Pictures and rated “R” for language and sexual content.)

For more information about My Dead Boyfriend, go to the IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes website.