Put teenagers in a cancer setting, and their
adapting to a changed life will be interesting, instructive, and even
entertaining, just as we see in Me and
Earl and the Dying Girl. The
author of the book and screenplay, Jesse Andrews, must have had personal
experience of that situation, since the characterization of it in this film is
uncannily realistic. (I worked in
the pediatric unit of a cancer center for 24 years, and found the adolescents
and their friends to be as fascinating and admirable as the young people in
this film.)
We meet Greg (Mann) first as a disengaged high
school student who is self-deprecating to a fault, actively shuns every
opportunity for attachment, and has a tendency to blurt out wrong and hurtful
observations, after which he is mortified. The only one he lets in at all is Earl (Cyler), and still
regards him as a “coworker” instead of a friend. Their “work” is making short movies that are playful,
cynical, artsy, and clever. But of
course, Greg disparages them to others.
Greg’s parents (Offerman and Britton) confront
him after school one day and tell him about his classmate Rachel (Cooke) who
has been diagnosed with a kind of leukemia that is difficult to treat. His mother then insists that he call
Rachel and visit her. He is
horrified, even writhing on the floor in horror. But his mother insists, and although Rachel does not really
want him to come see her either, he pleads for her to agree; otherwise his
mother will make his life a living hell.
Thus begins their reluctant attachment, but
sure enough before long he is making her smile, then laugh at his kooky sense
of humor. He brings Earl along with
him sometimes, and he and Rachel hit it off as well. After hearing about the amateur movies, one of
Rachel’s friends proposes to Greg that they make a film especially for Rachel,
and that project becomes a central point for the rest of the story. Of course, Greg is terrified that the
film won’t be perfect, so it’s a long time in the making.
Greg is devoted to Rachel throughout her
treatment, and they become fast friends.
She is mature for her age and a keen observer who is able to give Greg
encouragement and helpful feedback about himself. Chemotherapy makes her tired and causes her hair to fall out
but Greg and her other friends stick by her, something so essential in coping
with the arduous treatments. Also
to be expected in times of stress, there are disagreements and quarrels that
are eventually resolved.
There is so much to like in the film in
addition to the above.
Entertaining artwork, cartoons, and videos are sprinkled throughout, but
also demonstrate the value of creative projects in coping with the stresses of
severe illness and high school.
Some of the adults make significant contributions to the success of the
film, such as Greg’s dad who is home a lot and always eating some kind of strange food. The history teacher allows Greg and Earl to eat lunch in his
office and imparts wise counsel to them from time to time.
Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, the director has really
done a remarkable job in making a film that mixes tragedy, comedy, and artistic
creations in a tender and loving way.
I’m sure Jesse Andrews’ writing deserves the praise in some measure as
well, along with the three young actors who enliven the story and make it seem
like we’re right alongside them in navigating the shoals of cancer. A planned encounter at the end is left
unresolved, but nevertheless, the film well deserves the prizes (Grand Jury
Prize and Audience Award) it received during the Sundance Film Festival earlier
this year.
You will laugh; you will cry; but you
will be entertained throughout.
Grade: A- By Donna R. Copeland
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