Me and Earl and the Dying Girl Review
RYAN: 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.
