The Greatest Hits (2024) Movie Review – Where to Watch Online
The Greatest Hits is a 2024 romantic drama that explores the emotional labyrinth of love, loss, and the nostalgia of music. Directed by Ned Benson, the film introduces viewers to a magical but haunting concept where memories of love, triggered by familiar songs, can quite literally take someone back in time. With an intriguing premise and powerful performances, The Greatest Hits attempts to examine the struggles of moving forward after a loss and the grip that memories can have on our lives.
Plot Summary
Lucy Boynton plays Harriet, a young woman drowning in grief after the tragic death of her longtime boyfriend Max (played by David Corenswet). Max dies in a car accident, leaving Harriet in a constant state of melancholy. However, Harriet’s grief is not just emotional but also physical. Whenever a song from her past with Max plays, she is transported back to that exact moment in time. The familiar tunes pull her into a reality where she relives her fondest—and most painful—memories of Max. Harriet’s grief becomes a literal journey through time, one where she desperately tries to find a way to save Max, only to fail repeatedly.
In her attempt to cope with her loss, Harriet isolates herself, wearing noise-canceling headphones to avoid accidentally triggering more trips back in time. She avoids music, removes any memory-inducing songs from her playlist, and even takes a quiet job at a public library. Despite her efforts to shut the world out, she meets David (Justin H. Min), a fellow member of a grief support group. David is also healing from a personal loss, and he becomes a pivotal part of Harriet’s journey toward acceptance.
While Harriet is emotionally torn between her memories of Max and the possibility of new love with David, The Greatest Hits unfolds into a gentle exploration of grief, personal growth, and the question of whether we can ever truly let go of the past.
Performances and Cinematography
Lucy Boynton shines in her role as Harriet, bringing vulnerability and depth to a character who is defined by her profound loss. The chemistry between Boynton and Justin H. Min is palpable, offering some of the film’s most tender moments. David Corenswet, though seen mostly in flashbacks, leaves an impression as the late boyfriend Max, a charming but mysterious figure who looms large in Harriet’s life even after his death.
The film’s cinematography, helmed by Chung Chung-hoon, is another standout element. His use of lens flares and soft lighting during Harriet’s flashbacks adds a dreamlike quality to the time-travel sequences. These moments, which reflect Harriet’s mental state, are visually striking and set the tone for the magical realism of the film.
Themes of Love, Loss, and Nostalgia
The Greatest Hits explores how grief can keep us stuck in the past. Harriet’s time-traveling ability symbolizes the way many of us cling to memories, sometimes at the cost of living in the present. The film delves into the emotional weight of nostalgia—how certain songs, places, or moments can pull us back to earlier times, for better or worse.
Despite the promising themes, The Greatest Hits struggles to strike a consistent tone. While it presents itself as a romantic drama, some of the fantastical elements feel underdeveloped. Harriet’s time travel, for instance, follows loose rules that aren’t fully explained, leaving viewers with more questions than answers. This lack of clarity, combined with the film’s slow pacing, makes it difficult to maintain emotional engagement throughout the 1 hour and 34-minute runtime.
Comparisons to Other Films
The concept of The Greatest Hits draws inevitable comparisons to other romantic films that mix time travel and nostalgia. Movies like About Time and (500) Days of Summer come to mind, but unfortunately, The Greatest Hits falls short of the emotional depth and creative storytelling seen in those films. While Benson’s attempt to merge romance, music, and time travel is admirable, it often feels too derivative. The audience is constantly reminded of superior films, which detracts from the uniqueness that The Greatest Hits could have had.
Where to Watch The Greatest Hits Online
For those eager to watch The Greatest Hits, the movie is available for streaming on Hulu in the United States. Hulu offers both subscription and free trial options, making it accessible to a wide audience. The film will also be available on Disney+ for international viewers. Those who prefer to rent or purchase the film can find it on major streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Vudu.
Here are some of the platforms where you can watch The Greatest Hits:
- Hulu – Available with subscription (US).
- Disney+ – Available internationally.
- Amazon Prime Video – Rent or purchase.
- Apple TV – Rent or purchase.
- Vudu – Rent or purchase.
Conclusion
The Greatest Hits is a bittersweet exploration of love, loss, and the power of music to evoke memories. While it stumbles in its execution and pacing, the film’s emotional core is strong enough to resonate with viewers who have experienced profound grief or heartbreak. Lucy Boynton’s portrayal of Harriet, paired with Justin H. Min’s charming presence, helps to elevate a story that might otherwise have felt too derivative. If you’re in the mood for a nostalgic romance with a touch of magical realism, The Greatest Hits is worth a watch.
