Monday, November 30, 2015

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)


"A little friendship never killed anyone."


Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
Produced by Jeremy Dawson, Dan Fogelman, Steven M. Rales
Screenplay by Jesse Andrews
Based on "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" by Jesse Andrews
Starring: Thomas Mann, Olivia Cooke, RJ Cyler, Nick Offerman, Molly Shannon, Jon Bernthal, Connie Britton
Music by Brian Eno, Nico Muhly
Cinematography: Chung-hoon Chung
Edited by David Trachtenberg
Production company: Indian Paintbrush
Distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures
Release date: 12 June 2015 (United States)
Running time: 105 minutes
Country: United States
Budget: $8 million
Box office: $9.1 million


"Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" is a comedy drama film directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon and written by Jesse Andrews, based on the novel of the same name. The story is about Greg, a schoolboy and some kind of a filmmaker, who starts to be friends with Rachel, who is suffering from cancer, firstly just because he has to do it.


Cast
  • Thomas Mann as Greg Gaines
  • Gavin Dietz as young Greg
  • Olivia Cooke as Rachel Kushner
  • RJ Cyler as Earl
  • Edward DeBruce III as young Earl
  • Nick Offerman as Mr. Gaines
  • Molly Shannon as Denise Kushner
  • Jon Bernthal as Mr. McCarthy
  • Connie Britton as Mrs. Gaines
  • Chelsea T. Zhang as Naomi
  • Katherine C. Hughes as Madison
  • Natalie Marchelletta as Anna
  • Matt Bennett as Scott Mayhew
  • Bobb'e J. Thompson as Derrick
  • Hugh Jackman as Himself


I'd heard enough about "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" therefore I couldn't dissuade myself from watching it. And after almost the whole November of film series the picture turned out something like a breath of fresh air: no cliche, no typical dialogues, no teenage drama. Moreover, it didn't seem like "The Fault in Our Stars" or "Now Is Good", no - there was no love story, only the story of real friendship grown from a simple mistake.

Greg Gaines, performed by Thomas Mann, has spent his school years trying to be friends with everyone. Or it's better to say not friends, he has just wanted to become a straightforward fellow. But one day his Mom asked him to call Rachel, who has recently known - she's ill. Greg doesn't want to do it, but does, all in all. And insensibly becomes true friends with her.

Acting of little known actresses and actors charms that you believe them from the beginning. But what's more: the absence of special effects, which aren't obligatory in such films, also fills up with the sharp plot, unusual shooting and frames.

If you're still not sure to watch or not, don't forget: "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" is Sundance 2015 winner.


Advantages
  • Olivia Cooke as Rachel Kushner
  • RJ Cyler as Earl
  • Nick Offerman as Mr. Gaines
  • The plot

Disadvantages
  • Some toilet jokes

"Strangenesses"
  • Is Earl thinking about a bust all the time?

Clue Moments
  • Hugh Jackman's voice
  • McCarthy's soup
  • School's division
  • Greg and Earl's filmmaking
  • Rachel's decision
  • Rachel's death
  • The film
  • Books


Soundtracks
  1. Aradia Ensemble and Chorus, conducted by Kevin Mallon - Jubilate, o amoeni chori, RV 639
  2. Bernard Herrmann - Scene d’Amour
  3. Brian Eno - Golden Hours
  4. Brian Eno - Dead Finks Don’t Talk
  5. Ennio Morricone - Main Title
  6. Jean Constantin - Generique et Car de Police
  7. Brian Eno - Burning Airlines Give You So Much More
  8. Brian Eno - On Some Faraway Beach
  9. Lou Reed - Street Hassle
  10. The Gotobeds - NY’s Alright
  11. Cologne Chamber Orchestra and Dresden - Mass in B minor, BWV 232
  12. Ennio Morricone - Main Title
  13. Cat Stevens - Trouble
  14. Roy Orbison - In Dreams
  15. Brian Eno, Cluster - Ho Renomo
  16. Lythion Music - Kartoffeltornado
  17. Brian Eno - Zawinul/Lava
  18. Richard Wagner - Ride of the Valkyries
  19. Hevy Floe - Love Sonnet
  20. Brian Eno - I’ll Come Running
  21. Harry Nilsson - Everybody’s Talkin’
  22. Ezio Bosso - Minuetto ‘Jeux D’enfance
  23. Brian Eno - Here Come The Warm Jets
  24. James feat. Brian Eno - Burn The Cat
  25. Jacques Offenbach - Barcarolle Fantasy
  26. Jean Constantin - Trinite et Finale
  27. Landon Thomas - LSD
  28. Ra Ra Riot - Dance With Me
  29. Brian Eno - The Big Ship
  30. Brian Eno - Always Returning
  31. Explosions in the Sky - Remember Me As A Time Of Day


Quotations
* * *
Greg: Ugh, tests... I've been there.
* * *
Greg: One last thing. Hot girls destroy your life. That's just a fact.
* * *
Limo Driver: So you love this girl?
Greg: Uh, no. I wouldn't go that far.
* * *
Greg: We make films. We've been making them since we were little...
* * *
You may see the trailer here.


Plot: 7/10
Entertainment: 8/10
Acting: 8/10
Originality: 7/10
Music and Sound: 7/10

7/10

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