‘Sex, Death and Bowling’ has too much on its mind

Family dramas large and small are on display in “Sex, Death and Bowling.” As for the title, there’s plenty of the latter two and not nearly enough of the first.

Actress Ally Walker has the writing and directing duties on her debut narrative feature, and she has assembled quite the cast, including Adrian Grenier, Selma Blair, Drea de Matteo and Mary Lynn Rajskub. Grenier stars as fashion designer Sean McAllister, returning to his hometown to say final goodbyes to his brother Rick (Bailey Chase), an Iraq War veteran dying of cancer. The film is narrated by Rick’s son, Eli (Joshua Rush), who copes with his father’s impending death by assisting his grandfather’s bowling team and by seeking guidance from spiritual and religious leaders.

SIGN UP for the free Indie Focus movies newsletter >>

At its heart, it’s a simple story about a family gathering around a loved one, but there’s too much going on narratively and stylistically. Sean is plunged into high school flashbacks as he encounters old bullies, and Eli’s spiritual journey is sometimes rendered in animated sequences. Rick’s devoted wife (Blair) is warring over hospice treatment with nurse Anna (De Matteo). And there’s the bowling tournament, of course.

Although this piling on of story offers a generosity in character perspective, it’s overly busy and seems to mask that there’s something lacking. Grenier anchors with a nuanced lead performance, but for such a starry cast, the cinematic quality doesn’t match up to the talent on screen.

------------

“Sex, Death and Bowling”

MPAA rating: R for language.

Running time: 1 hour, 36 minutes.

Playing: Laemmle’s Ahrya Fine Arts, Beverly Hills.