Review of My Life Without Me (2003) by Hugo S — 11 Mar 2008

MY LIFE WITHOUT ME (2003).

Directed by Isabel Coixet.

Starring Sarah Polley, Mark Ruffalo, Scott SpeedmanThe film begins with Sarah Polley's character waiting under the rain, appreciating the feel of every drop on her body. A voice over beigns, she talks to herself, its not her thoughts, it sounds more like a narration. It sets the tone for the film, right away.It feels as she is narrating her life or the movie of her life. Its might as well be cause a few minutes into the film she learns, and so do we, that she is about to die, she has just a few more weeks to go, maybe a few months.She is a young woman, only 23. She is married to the only guy she ever kissed and they have two children together, they are 4 and 6. They live in a small trailer house in her mom's backyard. They dont have the happiest life but they love each other and its all that counts.Like in most movies like this one, she decides not to tell anyone of what is awaiting for her. Its very selfish of her but its realistic, I would do the exact same thing. She writes down a list of things to do before she dies, but its nothing huge, like riding thirty rollercosters. Its more realistic, like drinking and smoking as much as she wants or sleeping with other men just to see what its like.My Life Without Me is a very touching film. I didnt like the way the direction was handled and the few touches of humor didnt seem to have their place here. It is something uneven in the way its made but Sarah Polley is a fine actress. Here, she gives a terrific and realistic performance, carrying the film on her shoulders. The script is pretty good as well, never going over the top, simply bringing up genuine feelings and emotions.The entire cast is actually pretty good, even Scott Speedman who was the weakest link in Underworld an already weak film. Mark Ruffalo, as a love interest uses all his charm and is perfect for the part. The only problem I had with him was that we never get to know his character that much, we know he is a quirky romantic guy and seems like he got out of a movie with all his pretty speeches but it might just be part of the fantasy the Sarah Polley's character is living.I feel like some character were useless, like the Amanda Plummer one, a coworker of Ann played by Polley, or the hairdresser played by Maria De Medeiros but it doesnt hurt the film that much. Its well-written, beautifully-acted and its defiantely heartwrenching, especially when she records tapes for her kids future birthday for which she wont be present. Good stuff.