Monday, April 25, 2016


Erin
4/25/16
Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl


 


Gomez-Rejon, A. (Director). (2015). Me, earl, and the dying girl [Motion Picture].

 
 
               Greg is a senior in high school. Over the past 4 years he has worked to carefully craft an ‘in’ with every social group on campus – just enough so people know him, but nothing more. His only real friend is Earl his “business partner” who has known him since he was 4 and makes movie spoofs with him in their free time. When Rachel, one of Greg’s acquaintances, is diagnosed with leukemia, Greg’s mother pushes him to reach out to her and spend time with her. Reluctantly Greg does so, but slowly finds that Rachel is something special and could become a true friend. As their friendship grows, Rachel’s cancer worsens. As she becomes sicker, Rachel’s friend, Maddie, seeks out Greg and Earl to have them make one of their movies for Rachel. Reluctantly, they agree but can’t find the right story to give her. Months roll by and Rachel’s chemo is not making her better. She decides to stop her treatment, urging Greg to quickly complete the movie for her. On prom night, Greg goes to see Rachel at the hospital. He shows her the film and as she watches she slips into a coma and then dies. But in the wake of her death, Greg learns that he can still discover more about their friendship and Rachel’s support of his future.

              Alfonso Gomez-Rejon’s film was beautiful. Both comical and dramatic, Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl captures the themes of friendship and loyalty as well as portraying a realistic view the high school world. The pressures that the three main characters face are real and raw. It was very easy to connect to Rachel, Earl, and Greg.  High schoolers would thoroughly enjoy this film and it would make a great compliment for the novel it is based on.

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