Review of Third Star (2010) by Connor G — 24 May 2012

As far as movies go, it's hard for me to be able to overlook tired plots, trite characters, and most emotional scenes. I usually end up laughing at them rather than getting into the moments. I go into this sort of "riffing" mode that usually ruins the mood immediately. It's what's partially gotten me through several films noted as "bad" or simply "not as good as it should've been". Yet with Third Star, which wasn't exactly positively received...I'm at as loss. I love this film, even though I know that the idea has been done to death. I love it, even if it's not focused most of the time. I love it, yet it features random characters and scenes that don't seem to go anywhere. As a critic, I don't know what to say.

Ah well, maybe I should just get into what the "trite" plot of Third Star is. Benedict Cumberbatch stars as James, a 29 year old man who's terminally ill with cancer. What kind of cancer? Never explained, though I'm going to assume that it's some sort of marrow cancer due to his difficulties walking. On his 29th birthday, he decides to take his three friends on a last hiking trip to his favorite location called Barafundle Bay. His friends include Davy, his friend and caretaker for several years; Bill, a rambunctious man who's stuck in an unhappy relationship with his girlfriend; and Miles, James' friendly rival who's hiding a dark secret from James. As the group treks their way to the bay, secrets come out and begins to mold the group as individuals.

Perhaps this exact plot hasn't been done before, but similar scenarios have been done before. A "sick person goes on life altering journey" film gets done almost every year. So you'd think that'd make me dislike this film right? Wrong. I still like it. The acting is superb, with Benedict Cumberbatch being amazing as usual and the actors who play the three friends (Tom Burke, J. J. Feild, and Adam Robertson) also do a great job. The cinematography, while not the best ever put to film, still looks great. And the music score compliments the movie perfectly.

Maybe from all that it doesn't seem like there'd be anything that would make me hate this film. Everything seems perfectly normal. Yet there's one element I have yet to mention: the emotional elements of these kind of films. I HATE the overdrama of these kinds of movies; it feels really sappy and any whimsical moments feel tacked on. But, Third Star isn't like that. The emotions that are put into the film feel genuine and it's extremely moving. But there's a reason that this film made me fail as a critic. I couldn't properly rate it...because it emotionally shattered me. Literally, most sad movies usually only can utter a tear or two from me and that's it. This movie had me full out bawling, which is extremely embarassing if no one else is watching the movie. What makes it even more powerful is that fact that I prepared myself before watching this movie. I read the entire synopsis, I listened to reviews by other critics (which only served to piss me off with their insensitive comments. Fricking homophobic twats.), and read text reviews and already knew what was coming with the end of the movie. And even then...I cried like a baby. It's that moving.

Fans of Benedict Cumberbatch will love this film as well as those who love sort of road comedy movies, despite the fact that the movie contains very little comedy. Though I warn everyone, this movie will cause you to have an emotional breakdown. Even so, I think this is one of my favorite films I've watched this year. Now if you'll please excuse me, I need to curl up in my bed for a week. (Real Rating: 98.99999%).