The Stranger's sister publication, the Portland Mercury, originally posted this review on their blog, Blogtown. Follow them for Portland updates if you're into that sorta thing.

An image from the film, DEAR EVAN HANSEN. Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures

Editor’s Note: This review contains discussions and references to suicide. If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

The most out of its depth movie you will see all year, Dear Evan Hansen proves that some adaptations of musicals should remain where they began: on the stage and as far away from the screen as possible.

To even attempt to fully explain the insulting faux sentimentality and thoroughly flip manner in which Dear Evan Hansen tries to tackle its themes would be to only scratch the surface of how misjudged it all is. The premise of the film is that Evan Hansen—played by Ben Platt, 27—is a high school student who is struggling with anxiety and depression. As a coping mechanism, he writes letters to himself that he signs simply “Me.” It echoes the device of director Stephen Chbosky's previous film and novel, 2012’s far superior The Perks of Being a Wallflower. However, here, the letters are merely a plot device, rather than also serving as a more well-rounded way to develop a character.

Tom Skerritt on a walk in EAST OF THE MOUNTAINS. Courtesy of Quiver Distribution

This piece contains discussions and references to suicide. If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

Tom Skerritt has acted in some of the most iconic films and television shows, from science fiction classics like the original Alien in 1979 to projects like M*A*S*H, Top Gun, and A River Runs Through It. The Seattle actor's newest film, which showed at this year's Seattle International Film Festival and is out this Friday, is different from all the rest.

In East of the Mountains, directed by local filmmaker S.J. Chiro and based on the novel of the same name by Bainbridge Island author David Guterson, Skerritt is the lead. He plays Ben Givens, a retired Seattle surgeon who struggles to cope with the loss of his wife and a terminal cancer diagnosis that he's kept to himself. Despite concern from his daughter Renee (Mira Sorvino), Ben sets out on a hunting trip with only his adorable pup Rex by his side. All he takes with him is a rifle, which he brings intending to use to take his own life.

A painful yet reflective film, East of the Mountains also serves as a late calling card for the beloved actor. It makes the most of actually shooting in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest where the film is set. It is understated, much like Skerritt himself who spoke to me about his career, his latest performance, and the future he sees for film production in the region.

We lightly edited this interview for length and clarity.