Rating of
3.5/4
Deeper Than Expected
Unknown - wrote on 07/16/15
'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl' is a hard one to pin down. It wants to be so many things at once. The opening started off too strong for me. The overall quirky, self-knowing indie vibe that began the movie was a bit off-putting. It felt like a textbook example of all the cliches found in this sub-genre of indie comedy teen flicks. The directing/editing choices also felt as a purposeful homage to Wes Anderson. Almost, but not quite, to the point of being labeled a rip-off. Constant movie references and shameless Criterion promotion was abound. This all made it initially difficult for me to get into the film. Most of that dissipates over time, and the story gradually unfolds with ease. The quirky presentation takes a back-seat for the second half. The humor gives way to a much more deeper dramatic narrative than I anticipated. The characters and plot don't follow traditional methods at all. I really enjoyed the sweet and honest friendship that evolves between Greg and Rachel. It's the heart of the movie. The story doesn't revolve around her illness. It's focus is of the strong bond they have for one another and what it means to them given the circumstance. The heartbreaking moments hurt all the more because of this. The ending is a true gut-punch. It contemplates questions that aren't often brought up in movies. What should we do with the little time we have left? How can our company truly affect someone with a serious condition? What regrets are left in the wake of tragedy? There's a quote from earlier in the film that I didn't think much of at the time, but it adds a profound meaning to the closing moments that really touched me. Certain issues are not completely resolved, especially that of Greg's future. I felt this added something to the way in which the movie portrays life as being unfinished. Greg lacked the change that I expected from his character. His reserved, doubtful, and selfish ways are what cause most of the problems in his relationships. He was playing tug-of-war with my sympathy towards him. If this aspect was more balanced, and the 'in-your-face' quirky movie referencing stuff at the beginning was toned down (or left out), then I'd be willing to give a higher score. I still wholeheartedly recommend this movie to everyone!
