When I first saw a trailer for a film starring Sunny Sandler about a group of students putting on a school production of Waitress, I was immediately intrigued. The Sandler sisters have been steadily taking Netflix by storm, with each new project seeming to get better. Don’t Say Good Luck continues that trend, but it’s a much sadder and more heartfelt film than what the family is usually known for.

When Sophie Birenbaum (Sandler) auditions for the annual musical, she unexpectedly lands the lead role, but at home she is dealing with more than any high schooler could imagine. The story comes from Laura Hankin, who based the original draft on her personal experience of getting the lead in her high school’s musical at the same time her mother’s cancer came back.

Bringing a true and beautifully personal story to life is no easy feat, but Don’t Say Good Luck tackles it with grace and dignity, delivering a film that is raw and emotional while still being incredibly enjoyable. Sandler shines in the lead role, navigating the complicated emotions of coming of age and chasing your dreams while feeling guilty for even wanting those dreams in the first place. Alongside Melanie Lynskey, the pair have an undeniable familial chemistry that makes the final scenes all the more emotional, leaving you trying desperately to hold back the tears.

The ensemble cast are brilliant, with Max Greenfield, Stephanie Beatriz, Jack Champion, Bebe Neuwirth and Steve Buscemi bringing the perfect balance of humour and heart, making the film feel like a genuine story rather than simply a collection of big names.

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If there is one criticism, it is that, given the impact of the situation, the film’s shorter runtime means we don’t get to see much of the wider impact on Sophie’s whole family. The emotion understandably falls mostly on Sophie and her mum, and their relationship is where the story is at its strongest. But, as the film introduces the rest of her family, we don’t get to see how they’re processing everything too, making some of these relationships and emotions feel slightly rushed and glossed over. I couldn’t help but wish there was more room to explore these further.

But this film isn’t just a teen drama; it’s also a bit of a musical. The story often shifts between the rehearsals and the world of Waitress, cleverly intertwining the musical with Sophie’s home life. This works particularly well towards the end, when the two stories come together in a way that really packs a punch. Sandler is incredible throughout, especially when taking on the role of Jenna in Waitress. It’s not an easy role to play, but she handles it beautifully and delivers some gorgeous vocals along the way.

Yet what makes this film work so well is that it never lets Sophie’s situation define her. She’s still a teenager with a passion for theatre, friendships that hit a rocky patch and crushes on her classmates, all while dealing with something so scary at home. That balance adds something so real to the story; it’s a situation that so many have unfortunately had to go through, and one that many will relate to. There are moments of laughter and joy, and director Julia Hart gives these emotions room to coexist with the melancholy.

When a film has me crying even harder after the final scene as the credits roll, it deserves its flowers, and Don’t Say Good Luck managed exactly that. It is a beautiful coming-of-age story that is funny, heartbreaking and surprisingly uplifting at times, without ever falling into cliché. It may seem like a simple teen musical on the surface, but there are so many layers to it, with Sandler and Lynskey at the heart of the story. I hope many people can find the same sense of catharsis in this story that I did.

★★★★

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Streaming on Netflix from Friday 14th August / Sunny Sandler, Melanie Lynskey, Max Greenfield, Jack Champion, Stephanie Beatriz, Scarlett Estevez, Emma McNulty, Elyse Bell, Steve Buscemi, Jon Lovitz / Dir: Julia Hart / Netflix