Review of Third Star (2010) by Janet S — 26 May 2011

Like The Big Chill, Third Star reunites old friends and has them examine their lives and choices through a lens of tragedy. What prevents the film becoming maudlin is the wonderfully true to life laddish dialogue between the four friends and the superb acting, particularly from Benedict Cumberbatch and JJ Feild.

I particularly warmed to James (Cumberbatch) when it became clear that he was determined not to be a passive victim of his illness and furthermore to berate his friends for their own passivity. He does however come to see that life continuing for the others without him having any say in it is not something to fear. He was a person, with all the flaws that implies, not just a cancer. His wish to retain control to the very end was deeply affecting.

I had mixed emotions at the end of the film. I felt sad yes, but also glad that James' struggle had been for a purpose and that it had been fulfilled. Third Star for all its humour gets to grips very successfully with massive human issues and emotions without descending into sentimentality. It is a superb film and should not be missed.