June 25, 2015 in COMEDY DRAMA

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl Review

Me Earl Dying GirlRYAN: This is a new indie that could very well be a breakthrough film for this year.  You have a certain set of expectations when you’re going into a movie where you know a character has cancer – and is a teenager, no less.  You’re prepared to be sad.  This movie is different though – it sort of breaks down your expectations because it’s so original.

CAROLINE: How interesting.  It’s adapted from a novel.

RYAN: I didn’t read it.  But the movie is fantastic.  It’s such an honest, raw look at the way we think and behave in high school; before we’re able to identify all the emotions we’re feeling.  It’s such a complicated time and this movie shows it brilliantly.

CAROLINE: I wanna see it.  How are the performances?  Some of the parents are well known actors, right?

RYAN: Molly Shannon, Connie Britton and Nick Offerman, yes.  And they’re all brilliant and hilarious.  This movie is most laugh out loud funny.  It’s such a comedy.  But these kids are amazing – especially RJ Cyler who’s basically bursting onto the scene out of nowhere.  He cracked me up!

CAROLINE: Who’s the girl?

RYAN: Olivia Cooke – she was in that cheesy Ouija movie.  She’s very good.  Her eyes are very telling.  And Thomas Mann as the Me in the film carries it.  He’s terrific as a leading man – very competent and relatable.  These performances are so natural, it just tickles you.  And it also must be attributed to a gorgeous script.  It’s, like, this year’s Perks of Being a Wallflower or a modern, edgy John Hughes.

CAROLINE: That’s high praise.

RYAN: It’s way deeper than any John Hughes though and from a directorial standpoint, also much more artistic.  The cinematography is beautiful – some of the angles and camera movement are creative and cool.

CAROLINE: It sounds really great.  I love it when a dramedy is actually funny and dramatic.

RYAN: It deals with friends, family, coming of age – really figuring life out.  It’s so different.  There are title cards for different moments, or chapters in the story and it works well.  It’s quirky and unique. There’s also a totally random, but brilliant Hugh Jackman moment to watch for.

CAROLINE: Ok (laughs).  Is it a cameo?

RYAN: Sort of.  Oh – there’s also some cleverly used stop motion animation. Again, it’s a brilliantly honest, non-glam look at the awkward teenage years.  It’s sweet with an edge.  Highly recommended.

SEE IT

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