Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is a comedy-drama movie that premiered at the “Sundance Film Festival” in 2015. The movie stars Thomas Mann, Olivia Cooke, RJ Cyler, and Katherine Hughes under the direction of Alfonso Gomez-Rejón. When a filmmaker is involuntarily assigned to a project, his school anonymity is at risk.
Greg (played by Thomas Mann) is a high school senior. School is already fucked up as it is. You have all different types of groups; the “popular,” the “athletes,” the “nerds,” the “introverts,” you get my point, right? Luckily, he has found a loophole in the system.
“This is the story of my senior year of high school, and how it destroyed my life.
– Greg, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)
And how I made a film…”
However, one day his parents tell him his friend Rachel (Olivia Cooke) has been diagnosed with leukemia. Although attending the same school, to Greg she is just an acquaintance. Despite his unwillingness to leave his comfort zone, he has no choice but to call her.
The Dying Girl
Upon arriving at Rachel’s house, she makes it clear she doesn’t want his pity. Thus, they make a pact. They will spend just one day together and then will be out of each other lives.
But what starts as a forced hangout slowly develops into something more. Nevertheless, I do have to let you know in advance, that this isn’t a touching romantic story. (For that, refer to “The Faul in Our Stars.“)
In fact, the closest thing to a friend Greg has ever had is his co-worker named Earl (RJ Cyler). They make films where they take a title and flip it into a parody. According to them, their 42 flicks are bad. On one occasion, his classmate Madison (Katherine Hughes) finds the perfect idea: make one for Rachel.
Film #43 is the most challenging yet. After all, this feature is based on real characters. In his quest to develop the perfect cinema, Greg learns that “life can keep unfolding itself as long as you pay attention.” But does he execute the motion picture?
The movie is based on the book of the same title written by Jesse Andrews in 2012. Alfonso’s father had passed away when he read the script. Thus, he wanted to pay tribute, comically.
Having read the book, I can honestly say that the movie stays loyal to the story. This is because Jesse himself penned the script.
“Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” received a standing ovation at the “Sundance Film Festival” and won the “Grand Jury Prize” for comedy-drama.
Watch the teaser in the link below.
