Review of Third Star (2010) by Vina C — 27 Jun 2011

I have to admit, I did not know what this film was about besides the only thing I read here, I hadn't even seen the trailer for it. I only found out about this film because Benedict Cumberbatch is in it, one the most incredible actors I have ever seen, and I searched for weeks to find somewhere screening it near me. I did, eventually, find one and I read the sypnosis for it and I was near to tears, already. So, you can pretty much guess that I cried through out this film. I went and searched for reviews about the film, and I, somehow, came across a few bad reviews and refused to read on past the first paragraph. I, then, gave up on looking at reviews and refused to read ANYTHING else about the film and decided that I was going to go to this film with the knowledge I already have of it and join the journey myself. I made the right choice. I would never have had the exprience that I had with this film if I had read everything and anything I could about it.

I wasn't expecting much from this film. After the few reviews I read, I knew it was a low budget film and that it didn't have much publicity, but I didn't set any expectations on it. After seeing Benedict Cumberbatch in many other things, such as Sherlock (Sherlock Holmes), Frankensteiin (The Creature), Atonement (Paul Marshall), Inseperable (Charlie/Joe), The Other Boleyn Girl (William Carey) and others, I knew already that he was a remarkable actor with so much talent, whatever expectations I may have had shoved to the back of my mind automatically became much higher. But I believe that this film would still have been phenomenal even if my expectations were high.

The film follows the story of 29 year old, terminal cancer patient, James (Benedict Cumberbatch), and his three closest lifelong friends, Davy (Tom Burke), Miles (JJ Feild) and Bill (Adam Robertson) as they set out on their last road trip together to James' most favourite place in the world, Barafundle Bay located in West Wales. Throughout their journey and adventure to Barafundle Bay, there are many arguments and fights, with each other and strangers, but despite that there are many laughs and so much love between them all.

The film touches your heart from beginning to end and also breaks your heart. People may think it's just a typical film about someone with Cancer who is going to die and everyones hearts are broken at the end, which yes, you could say that, but I disagree. It's not just a typical cliché film about a cancer patient who is going to die - okay, maybe it is, but there's more to it than that. It focuses solely on James, even though his three closest friends are there, it's all about him. It's his journey, his story which we have the pleasure to experience with him - or maybe pleasure is not the right word. Anyway, you watch through his eyes. Although you see him, you experience everything with him. You see his pain, you see his confusion and how his medication effects him. As I sat there watching it, there was one scene that I just couldn't bring myself to look away from but I also wanted to stop watching. It was so painful to watch and I couldn't stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks, I felt sympathy for this man, for this poor man who hasn't even reached the age of thirty and is going through all this.

I really cannot find a way to talk about this film anymore without giving you any spoilers, and I have promised many people that I will not give them spoilers. I refused to read anything about the film and I am glad I didn't. I don't want to stop viewers from getting the same experience that I did.

This film was outstanding, marvelous, phenomenal. I cried all the way through, but I laughed so many times. I cannot describe to you how this film made me feel, I cannot find the words. I went through so many emotions through out this film, and by the end of it all I had so many questions going through my head. I believe this film has changed my view on my life.

I would recommend this film to anyone, despite the reviews many magazines and newspapers have given it. 2 stars - Empire, Mirror, Guardian? No, I'd give it at least 4, but I loved it that much, and I cried and laughed so much I'm giving it a 5.

Please, watch this film. The director, Hattie Dalton, has done so well, and they have hardly any publicity, please watch and spread the word!