For several years now the independent movie scene has offered up some of the better and more intelligent teen movies in ages. Mainstream studios continue to milk every current fad as evident by the steady flow of teen dystopian flicks and rocks-for-brains raunchy comedies. But independent cinema continues to provide a platform for unique voices and perspectives.
A more recent example comes in the form of the awkwardly titled, conjuction-heavy “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”. It’s a film that straddles so many fine lines. At different points it flirts with being too whimsical, too weepy, too self-aware, too hip, or too cliché. Miraculously it balances itself well throughout its journey from breezy, stylistic comedy to sensitive, bittersweet drama.
Alfonso Gomez-Rejon directs the film which is based on Jesse Andrews debut novel (Andrews also wrote the screenplay). Thomas Mann plays Greg, the ‘Me’ in the story. He is a demure and self-loathing high school senior who manages his outcast status by subtly mingling with every social group at school but never truly connecting with any of them. His one friend is the brusque and outspoken Earl (RJ Cyler), although Greg doesn’t call him a friend. He’s a “co-worker”. The two spend their time making crappy short films which are parodies of all kinds of classic movies.
The “Dying Girl” is Rachel (quietly yet keenly played by Olivia Cook) who has just been diagnosed with leukemia. Greg’s insistent mother (Connie Britton) forces him to hang out with Rachel which eventually sparks the reluctant friendship at the center of this film. The relationship becomes therapeutic for both of them providing a refuge from each of their very different personal ills. We’re tossed a curveball or two which keeps this from being just another teen cancer picture even after the story takes a slightly more serious tone.
But unlike the good but hankie-heavier “The Fault in Our Stars”, this movie relies on its sense of humor and attitude. One of its strengths is how it both highlights and irreverently squashes all of our conversational timidity and awkwardness when it comes to such weighty subjects as cancer. We get conversations rich with witty back-and-forths and uncomfortable honesty.
As hard as it tries to be unique and subversive, certain elements of it will undoubtedly feel familiar. And sometimes you can sense it trying hard to be stylish and to show off its pop culture coolness. But Gomez-Rejon deserves a ton of credit. He avoids so many of the trappings that would make this an easy film to dismiss. Instead he gives us something that is genuinely witty while never compromising its earnestness. It’s a story with a lot to say about the value of true friendship and it’s not ashamed to tackle a difficult subject in its own personal way. I kinda like that boldness.
VERDICT – 4 STARS
Keith & the Movies 
Nice review, Keith. Straddling so many fences and not falling off is an accomplishment. I’ll look forward to renting this one.:)
It was a nice surprise. I had heard several people speak highly of it. Even saw it on a couple of top 10 lists.
Good analysis. I agree that the director somehow manages to corral all those different styles – the whimsy, the quirk, the humour, the teary drama etc – into a cohesive whole, and that was a major plus. I liked the three main characters too, and the way their dynamics shifted slightly throughout. It didn’t make my ‘best of 2015’ list but was just outside, and I did like it. The cine-literate stuff was fun at first but it began to grate on me after a while.
I’m with you. I do think it was trying hard to show off its cinema hipster credentials and it did grow a bit old and become a little too obvious. But still a really pleasant surprise.
Nice to see you enjoyed this one….I loved it, especially all the Herzog references 🙂
I honestly don’t know if I would have seen it if you and a couple of others hadn’t spoken so highly of it.
Happy to hear it helped in you seeing it!
It definitely did. My wife and I both enjoyed it.
Great review! I liked this film quite a bit. I felt like I was watching teenagers I’d never seen in movies before. Especially compared to films like The Fault in Our Stars and My Sister’s Keeper.
And man did I ugly cry during that scene where Rachel sees her movie.
Thanks Brittani! It was never on my radar but I’m really glad I listened to the positive reviews scattered around the blogosphere. It’s pretty smart in how it employs its humor which I really appreciated.
Hey Keith, I quite like this one too, though generally I’m not really into high school movies. But I thought the humor works for me and despite the bleak subject matter it manages to be a joyful movie. I believe this was a hit at last year’s Sundance. Speaking of which, I just posted a list of Sundance movies I’m looking forward to, I’m curious which ones caught your eye 😉
You’re right. It really caught on at Sundance but I still didn’t pay it much attention until I saw the good reviews popping up. Glad I watched it.
And I’ll be paying FC a visit shortly. Seems like some pretty interesting films hit Sundance this year (and a couple of not-so-interesting ones).
I actually listened on an interview w/ the director on NPR which got me intrigued to see it, glad I did!
I’d be interested in hearing that.
It’s a bit too in love with itself at times. But still has something of a heart to make it work. Nice review Keith.
It does become a bit enamored with its own hipness, doesn’t it? Still a very satisfying teen flick.
Excellent work Keith! I really must get to this movie already!
It was a really nice surprise. Smart and witty. Doesn’t make the mistakes we often see in these kinds of flicks. I had never heard of it until I saw other people talking about it.
This is a movie that has stuck with me since the first time I watched it, think it was released pretty long ago. YES. It doesnt shy away from tough truths, and it somehow manages to balance the hip and the serious. Fine review Keith 🙂
Thanks a lot. It really left an impression. When we sat down to watch it my wife saw the title and said “Where on earth do you find these things?” But by the end she too liked it a lot.
As you know, I adored this film. Glad you enjoyed it too.
I really did and I’m glad I read reviews that pointed me to it.