Teen drama brims with life
Director Alfonso Gomez- Rejon departs from his recent horror projects ( The Town That Dreaded Sundown, American Horror Story) to helm the big screen adaptation of Jesse Andrews’ popular novel.
Andrews himself adapted the screenplay and the story remains the same; following the escapades of high school best buddies Greg ( Thomas Mann) and Earl ( RJ Cyler) as they get to know Rachel ( Olivia Cooke), a classmate just diagnosed with leukemia.
Don’t worry if the subject matter doesn’t exactly scream a barrel of laughs; Gomez- Rejon’s charming flick is a delight from start to finish, bettering the similarly- themed – albeit with adult characters – 50/ 50 by a fair margin.
The ‘ dramedy’ was a big hit at this year’s Sundance festival – winning the Grand Jury prize – and it’s not hard to see why, with all fears of an overdose of sentimentality, or jaw- droppingly cringeworthy attempts to poke fun at terminal illness, batted out of the park from the off.
Gomez- Rejon and Andrews show their love of film through Greg and Earl’s ridiculously endearing homemade movies and that plot strand in itself could’ve made for a superb teen version of Be Kind Rewind.
But then Cooke comes along and changes everything with a bond forming between her stricken student and Greg.
The Bates Motel and Ouija star is a revelation as the terminally ill pupil who makes light of her disease and refuses to let it slow her down as she carries on with her studies.
Mann also hits a career zenith and the pair share stupendously sweet moments together, although refreshingly there’s no eyelash fluttering and declarations of love as the duo’s relationship remains purely platonic.
Cyler is a hugely likeable presence too in only his second screen credit of any kind and Connie Britton ( Greg’s Mom) and Molly Shannon ( Denise) ensure it’s not just the kids who shine.
Jon Bernthal ( Mr McCarthy) is also a hoot in a small but important role that’s a world away from his turn as Shane in television hit The Walking Dead.
Gomez- Rejon takes Andrews words and elevates them from the page with creative triumphs including talking posters and a super soundtrack compiled by Brian Eno reflects the bouncy, positive mood perfectly.
The inevitable ending to Rachel’s story is handled beautifully and while there are sure to be a few tears here and there, it’s because you genuinely care as opposed to clever manipulation and desperate tactics by the filmmakers.
A coming- of- age indie tale with a difference, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl goes off in several unexpected directions and features a young cast at the peak of their acting powers.
Smart, sweet and far from soppy, it’s also a welcome departure from the prequels, sequels, remakes and comic book adventures crowding the marketplace.