Ugh, tests... I've been there.
Walking into the cinema... Looking like an independent and quirky version of The Fault in Our Stars. It's hard to determine if it's meant to be a teen comedy or a drama.
Overall Rating: 4.5 stars Cinematic rating: 4.5 stars Bigger questions rating: 4.5 stars
Have you had a cinematic experience that has left you speechless?
Packaged as a quirky coming-of-age story, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl surprisingly turns into a magnificent drama with an unexpected depth. In amongst the story of a self- centred teenage boy comes a portrait of loss, love and life. The central character from Jesse Andrews' novel is Greg (Thomas Mann) who lives a shallow high school existence that is independent of meaningful relationships and conflict. His only friend is Earl (RJ Cyler), a childhood friend partners with Greg in avoiding most of the high school trappings and they enjoy making film parodies. They exist throughout their final year of high school without much drama until Greg is asked by his mother to visit Rachel (Olivia Cooke). She is a classmate who has been diagnosed with leukaemia. Greg and Rachael try to make the best of an awkward situation and satisfy their parent's request to connect. Their relationship moves from standoffish to a symbiotic existence. They come to realise they need each other's support and friendship through this traumatic time during their last year of high school. Unlike many John Green novels or John Hughes films, this story has a depth in its multiple and realistic layers of life's trials.
One of the overarching elements of the film is Greg and Earl's film making throughout their formative years. Their search for avaunt-garde movies allowed for the development of a list that should be seen by all film students. Like Greg and Earl's list, Alfonso Gomez- Rejon's film should be considered for a must see film of 2015. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is difficult to classify, because unlike the typical hormonally-charged, coming-of-age films, this story tackles deeper considerations of life and death. With a mix of unconventional humour, Wes Anderson-style visuals and poignant dialogue provide the base for a profound narrative. Mann, Cyler, and Cooke performances allows them to develop their characters in a timely manner. As the storyline unfolds it makes for a depth that moves beyond cliché and proves to be endearing. They are brilliantly supported by veteran cast members who expand the breadth of the script and develop a palette of colourful cast members. To support the wealth of acting talent, the stylised cinematography was unsettlingly skillful. The visuals added to the storyline by perfectly depicting the drama portrayed on the screen. The direction of Gomez-Rejon manages to deliver an exquisite, emotionally-charged drama that's only limitation is the thinking that this is a teen-aged, coming-of-age adventure.-
A rare cinematic outing like Me and Earl and the Dying Girl engages with the consideration of loss and death, but provides discussion points about life. One of the key queries that comes out is what we choose to do with the gift of life? Jesse Andrew's screenplay of friendship is woven together with a confronting evaluation of life, even life after death. This is brought to a head with a dialogue between Greg and his teacher, Mr. McCarthy, that challenges the teen to understand more about the life we live and the life that is left behind for others to remember. Throughout the darkness of death, this film provides an opportunity to appraise the gift of life. In the end, the story is engaging and entertaining, but produces thoughtful discussion points for a multitude of future conversations.
Leaving the cinema... Stunned silence. The audience seemed to be overwhelmed with the journey that they experienced from this film. An emotional roller-coaster that delivers an overwhelming, experiential ride. Well done to Alfonso Gomez-Rejon for providing one of a must see film.
Reel Dialogue: What are some of the bigger questions to consider from this film? 1. What does the Bible have to say about death? (John 14:1-3, 2 Corinthians 5: 6-8) 2. Can we find true redemption in this life? (Romans 3:24-26, Ephesians 1:7) 3. Where can we find real love, hope and joy in this broken world? (Acts 24:14-16, Romans 8:24)
Written by Russell Matthews based on a five star rating system @ Russelling Reviews #russellingreviews #meandearlandthedyinggirl
Walking into the cinema... Looking like an independent and quirky version of The Fault in Our Stars. It's hard to determine if it's meant to be a teen comedy or a drama.
Overall Rating: 4.5 stars Cinematic rating: 4.5 stars Bigger questions rating: 4.5 stars
Have you had a cinematic experience that has left you speechless?
Packaged as a quirky coming-of-age story, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl surprisingly turns into a magnificent drama with an unexpected depth. In amongst the story of a self- centred teenage boy comes a portrait of loss, love and life. The central character from Jesse Andrews' novel is Greg (Thomas Mann) who lives a shallow high school existence that is independent of meaningful relationships and conflict. His only friend is Earl (RJ Cyler), a childhood friend partners with Greg in avoiding most of the high school trappings and they enjoy making film parodies. They exist throughout their final year of high school without much drama until Greg is asked by his mother to visit Rachel (Olivia Cooke). She is a classmate who has been diagnosed with leukaemia. Greg and Rachael try to make the best of an awkward situation and satisfy their parent's request to connect. Their relationship moves from standoffish to a symbiotic existence. They come to realise they need each other's support and friendship through this traumatic time during their last year of high school. Unlike many John Green novels or John Hughes films, this story has a depth in its multiple and realistic layers of life's trials.
One of the overarching elements of the film is Greg and Earl's film making throughout their formative years. Their search for avaunt-garde movies allowed for the development of a list that should be seen by all film students. Like Greg and Earl's list, Alfonso Gomez- Rejon's film should be considered for a must see film of 2015. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is difficult to classify, because unlike the typical hormonally-charged, coming-of-age films, this story tackles deeper considerations of life and death. With a mix of unconventional humour, Wes Anderson-style visuals and poignant dialogue provide the base for a profound narrative. Mann, Cyler, and Cooke performances allows them to develop their characters in a timely manner. As the storyline unfolds it makes for a depth that moves beyond cliché and proves to be endearing. They are brilliantly supported by veteran cast members who expand the breadth of the script and develop a palette of colourful cast members. To support the wealth of acting talent, the stylised cinematography was unsettlingly skillful. The visuals added to the storyline by perfectly depicting the drama portrayed on the screen. The direction of Gomez-Rejon manages to deliver an exquisite, emotionally-charged drama that's only limitation is the thinking that this is a teen-aged, coming-of-age adventure.-
A rare cinematic outing like Me and Earl and the Dying Girl engages with the consideration of loss and death, but provides discussion points about life. One of the key queries that comes out is what we choose to do with the gift of life? Jesse Andrew's screenplay of friendship is woven together with a confronting evaluation of life, even life after death. This is brought to a head with a dialogue between Greg and his teacher, Mr. McCarthy, that challenges the teen to understand more about the life we live and the life that is left behind for others to remember. Throughout the darkness of death, this film provides an opportunity to appraise the gift of life. In the end, the story is engaging and entertaining, but produces thoughtful discussion points for a multitude of future conversations.
Leaving the cinema... Stunned silence. The audience seemed to be overwhelmed with the journey that they experienced from this film. An emotional roller-coaster that delivers an overwhelming, experiential ride. Well done to Alfonso Gomez-Rejon for providing one of a must see film.
Reel Dialogue: What are some of the bigger questions to consider from this film? 1. What does the Bible have to say about death? (John 14:1-3, 2 Corinthians 5: 6-8) 2. Can we find true redemption in this life? (Romans 3:24-26, Ephesians 1:7) 3. Where can we find real love, hope and joy in this broken world? (Acts 24:14-16, Romans 8:24)
Written by Russell Matthews based on a five star rating system @ Russelling Reviews #russellingreviews #meandearlandthedyinggirl