After his relationship breaks down, Zia (Patrick Fugit) commits suicide, and finds himself in a bizarre purgatory especially for people who have killed themselves. This particular afterlife is very much like ‘normal’ life, except that everything is just a bit worse! Zia finds a friend in Eugene (Shea Whigham) – a Russian rock singer whose whole family have committed suicide and all live together in the afterlife. Nothing much happens for Zia until he discovers that his ex-girlfriend Desiree killed herself a month after he did, and he sets off on a strange road trip, accompanied by Eugene, to find her. Along the way, they meet Mikal (Shannyn Sossamon), who has recently arrived in the afterlife and believes that she should not really be there, and Kneller (fabulously played by Tom Waits), a curious man who seems to have found some sort of peace in this strange world.
Despite the name of this film, it is not a depressing watch. While I wouldn’t agree with some of the critics who described it as hilarious, it did have some moments of wry humour. Patrick Fugit is great as the somewhat bewildered Zia, who begins to realise that happiness can be found wherever you are. Shea Whigham almost steals every scene he is in, and provides most of the laughs, and Tom Waits possesses an amazing charisma, and is perfect for his role.
Most of the film takes place in the afterlife and is given a washed out effect, contrasting it sharply with the few scenes which are set in the real world (mainly flashbacks of Zia’s life before his relationship went wrong).
Year of release: 2006
Director: Gorn Dukic
Writer: Etgar Keret (book), Gorn Dukic
Main cast: Patrick Fugit, Shannyn Sossamon, Tom Waits, Shea Whigham
I was in two minds whether to watch this or not, as I felt it might be disturbing, but I am glad I chose to watch, and it actually left me with a smile on my face.
(A warning for anyone who is considering watching – it is presumably obvious from the title, but there is a strong suicide theme in this film, and while I did not find the movie itself disturbing, an early scene might prove upsetting to some).
Between the Pages 
I love this movie and it surprisingly is kind of a feel good movie even with all the suicide stuff.
Thanks for posting this! It really is a interesting story and the review you gave really inspired me to watch it.
I’m definitely recommending reading the story this was based on – Kneller’s Happy Campers – or anything else by the excellent Etgar Keret.
Thanks Eva – I remember trying to find a copy after watching the movie, but don’t seem to have got round to reading it. Off to order a copy now!
I think they’ve published it separately, but you can also find it in a collection called The Bus Driver Who Wanted to be God – just an FYI.