Review of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015) by Phil P — 06 Sep 2015

"Two little mice are at the door to see you".

Seems the YA novel boom continues and following on from the success of the similar (but different enough) 'The Fault In Our Stars'. It seems on the flip side of 'The Hunger Games' there are the teen cancer stories. Where the other one involves two characters in love this one is about friendship. And is all the better for it.

There was something sweet about 'The Fault In Our Stars' but the occasional forceful melodrama made towards the end painful viewing. Reaching for something It didn't possess. 'Me, Earl & The Dying Girl' has an altogether easier feel and also a much crisper progression, even from the start . 'Greg' is forced into hang out with 'Rachel' (by his mother) a girl in his high school who he barely knows - due to her having cancer and his mothers idea that "It would be nice". You quickly get an idea of 'Greg' he's categorised everyone at school and made himself unknown through a system he created. He's not too enthusiastic about helping people nor does even consider his best friend 'Earl' a friend - preferring co-worker.

He's gangly, self-deprecating and is determined to glide through life unseen. But after a few awkward encounters he and Rachel become friends and they bond through the films 'Greg and 'Earl' have created. It's got that quirky edge to it that these type of films seem to have to have rather than need. Little animated knitted characters are used throughout and there's the atypical titles for each 'chapter' of the story. it's not annoying like some films, rather it adds to the charm. The animated segments when they pop up can occasionally be jarring but they aren't long and are used in a particular manner.

I didn't find it particularly funny, there are moments - most for me from 'Nick Offerman' as the night gown wearing Dad. the thing that kept me engaged was (despite being slightly annoying) 'Greg' his interactions with 'Rachel' and unusual reference points.

There isn't anything I could point a big finger at for being bad, the camera work is pretty nice and dialogue is (easily) the best part. However, the overwrote ending with a treasure hunt type sequence feels played out and a little cringe-worthy.

Since it's going to be directly compared with 'The Fault In Our Stars' I have to say this better. There's nothing forced, the progression is natural even if it never stands out in a big way or that it's not as funny as it thinks it is - it's a pleasant film. Greg's reluctance and gradual friendship with 'Rachel' is as real a relationship as iv'e see on screen. That and the dialogue are what make 'Me, Earl & The Dying Girl' a solid if unspectacular film.