Me and Earl and the Dying Girl steals the show with the right mix of humour and gravitas.
Surfing through IMDB in the hope of finding a light comedy to counter my otherwise dull evening, I came across the indie movie Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. Even though it lacks a star-studded cast or a famous director, and isn’t a part of a popular franchise, it certainly is, in my opinion, one of the best films released this year. The story portrays the message of friendship in a comical and charming way, keeping viewers glued to the screen.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, released in June this year, is an adaption of the 2012 novel of the same name by Jesse Andrews and the directorial debut for Alfonso Gomez-Rejon. The elegant use of dialogue, highly original depiction of characters and a wonderfully crafted script piqued my interest and kept me hooked to the plot, involving the cartoonish antics of the main characters. The supporting characters also added to the theme of the movie superbly, creating a perfect ensemble.
The main character, Greg Gaines, played by Thomas Mann, is a senior, gawky, high-school student who has a very lax approach to life and is obsessed with foreign cinema. He spends his days with Earl (Ronald J Cyler), who is his best friend or ‘co-worker’ as he likes to call him. Together they obsess over films and make short, home-made movies inspired by the classics they love watching. Although Earl shows great understanding of situations and the feelings of his friend, he is also just another teenage misfit in the school. Olivia Cooke, playing Rachel, completes this awkward trio. Rachel has been diagnosed with cancer and Greg is guilt-tripped by his mother into befriending her in her time of need. Nick Offerman, a favorite from ‘Parks and Recreation’, plays Greg’s dad while Connie Britton is the nagging mother. Together, they pull off a quirky yet considerate family. Shaun from The Walking Dead series also makes a cameo as the history teacher. The characters are unique and believable and provide great momentum to the otherwise simple plot.
The movie beautifully captures how children make sense of realities such as ‘life’ and ‘death’ and the way they grapple with grave possibilities when facing a serious illness. It also explores relationships like the refreshingly platonic friendship of Greg and Rachel, and the bond between Greg and Earl. Viewers will be surprised by the laughter this movie offers despite the tough emotional situations depicted. The constant stream of witty, insightful jokes makes it easier for the viewer to get comfortable with the characters and be invested in their lives and issues. All in all, the film keeps the story grounded and is backed by a brilliant soundtrack. The sporadic, roughly-made, papier mache animations give it a homely touch and each character’s idiosyncrasies resonate throughout, making the film even more appealing. Premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is a refreshingly moving film which tugs at your heartstrings and can be enjoyed with the whole family.
Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, November 15th, 2015.
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