Review of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015) by Claire J — 12 Jul 2015

A meaningful and emotionally wrenching film that succeeds due to the genuineness in the performances and writing.

Thomas Mann's performance as Greg is incredible. It would be near impossible to find another actor who could bring such depth and realism to the character. Traits like his strange sense of humor, fear of connection, and awkwardness are so naturally consistent with the character that the performance feels effortless. Mann does no less than make Greg feel like he truly exists, even with such a complex character.

Much of the authenticity of Mann's performance is seen in the other young actors. Olivia Cooke plays a girl diagnosed with cancer and handles the disease the way a real teenage girl might. She never reduces her character to a mere victim, and nails key emotional scenes that give the film its power. R.J. Cyler's character provides a lot of comedy, but his performance has unmistakeable depth that brings Earl to life. These characters are defined by how they are, not just what the movie says they are. Each performance speaks beyond words, with each of these actors embodying a person, not simply checking off character traits.

The writing gets credit for creating this authenticity as well. The dialogue is meant to sound realistic, and it never misses the mark. Such honest writing is what gets us to really care about these characters and get invested in their worlds as the film's depths unfold. It explores original thematic territory that feels true for the characters and for life.

Alfonso Gomez-Rejon's direction is extremely stylish and inventive but it always feels right with the movie. The obscure camera placements and movements make the film exciting and high on energy, but they also feel purposeful. The wide angle lens is often used to emphasize spacial relations between characters, which usually reflect the distance that Greg puts himself at with other people. One of the film's more emotional scenes is done in one shot from one of these unusual angles and it works incredibly well.

The film's last thirty minutes feature multiple scenes of unforgettable emotional power and resonance. Sure, it's a cancer movie, but what's sad/uplifting about it goes beyond the sadness of cancer. This will remain one of 2015's best films because it matches its emotion with honest reasons to care. It's exciting to see so much new talent in the film, and I hope the director, writer, and actors continue their greatness. Everyone go see.