Review of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015) by Dana F — 04 Jul 2017

I feel like I have seen a lot of films like this over the last few years, but this one is more mature and thoughtful than the standard teen coming-of-age flick. And more fun. The story is about a self-imposed isolationist (the kind of guy who knows everyone yet knows no one) who learns about friendship via an initially forced relationship with a girl who has been diagnosed with leukemia.

The title and subject suggests that it would be a schmaltzy film, designed solely to make the audience bust out the Kleenex, but it is never emotionally manipulative. It all feels absolutely genuine, and that is what makes the film special.

It's also quirky and funny - the real achievement of the film is how well it balances the fine line between light and heavy. It's also so well acted by its three young leads, they are all fantastic.

The camerawork is unusual, with its odd compositions and shifting angles, and I can't figure out if it was brilliant or pretentious. Maybe it's both. At least it's energetic, and that combined with its sharp script results in a well-paced, charming, and high quality movie.

Additionally, I have a soft spot for this film because of its clever and hilarious references to classic films. The main characters are film buffs and spend their time making their own intentionally terrible versions of classics.

.. like "Senior Citizen Kane" and "My Dinner with Andre the Giant". You get to see snippets of these mini-films and they are hysterical, even if you don't know the movies they are spoofing.

This is a smart and idiosyncratic film with both humor and heart, and is a great watch for both teenagers and adults alike.