Me and Earl and the Dying Girl – movie review

As little films go, Alfonso Gomez-Rejon’s Me and Earl and the Dying Girl has pretty much swept all before it. After winning both the Grand Jury Prize and the audience award at Sundance, this charming and touching coming-of-age tale has proceeded to win over filmgoers around the globe (including taking out the audience award at this year’s Sydney Film Festival). Yes, it deals in some of the tropes of the teen angst genre, but with Gomez-Rejon’s light touch and Jesse Andrews’ perceptive script, this is simultaneously less angsty and more moving than many of its kin.

Andrews has adapted the screenplay from his own novel of the same name, and it’s clear he’s comfortable with the material. The film flows beautifully, with barely a wasted moment. That Andrews manages to maintain a sense of humour in the face of what is, after all, a story about a (possibly) terminal illness is a small miracle. Be prepared for some heart-wrenching moments though.

The “me” of the title is Greg (Thomas Mann), a senior at a suburban Pittsburgh high school. His best friend is Earl (R. J. Cyler), a kid from a rough part of the city who shares Greg’s interests in French New Wave cinema, existential literature and the wisdom of teacher Mr McCarthy (Jon Bernthal). The seemingly breezy start to the school year is interrupted however when Greg’s parents (Connie Britton and Nick Offerman) inform him that classmate Rachel (Olivia Cooke) has been diagnosed with leukemia. Although Greg doesn’t know Rachel very well, his mother insists that he “hang out” with her. After an awkward encounter with Rachel’s possibly alcoholic mother Denise (Molly Shannon), the two teenagers finally spend some time together; and despite the forced circumstances, an unlikely friendship develops.

Gomez-Rejon follows several indie-teen-movie conventions – a neatly curated soundtrack of mostly indie music; the fact the teens are (of course) all wiser than the adults around them – but ultimately what gets this film over the line is that he unashamedly wears his heart on his sleeve. It’s a movie that celebrates friendship over romance, but which doesn’t let that get in the way of genuine emotion. It’s not serious though, as Andrews injects a lot of comedy into the film – much of it generated by snippets of Greg and Earl’s hilarious home movies.

I should also mention the stylish cinematography from Choo-hoon Chung (Stoker), who makes great use of the Pittsburgh locations, making the city almost an extra character in the film. The music (mentioned above) is an eclectic mix of curated songs, supplemented by an original score from Brian Eno and Nico Muhly.

Of course, much hangs on the ability of the cast – since the movie relies heavily on dialogue rather than action to propel its plot – and they deliver. Thomas Mann (Beautiful Creatures) is pitch-perfect as the slightly nerdy yet comfortably cool protagonist. R. J. Cyler brings a slightly harder edge to Earl, as befits the character’s backstory. Well known faces Nick Offerman (We’re the Millers), Connie Britton (This is Where I Leave You) and Molly Shannon (The Five-Year Engagement) are all excellent as the significant adults (especially Offerman’s shambolic professor/dad); although even they may be outdone by Jon Bernthal (Fury) as Mr McCarthy and Bobb’e J. Thompson (30 Rock) as Earl’s brother Derrick. The whole film though it pushed along by the delicate performance of Olivia Cooke (Bates Motel) as Rachel.

In a season dominated by loud, over-the-top action movies, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is a rare find. This tiny gem of a movie is a teen film that won’t just appeal to teenagers. It’s a carefully crafted slice of life that will bring both a smile to your face and a tear to your eye.

Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
Cast: Thomas Mann, RJ Cyler, Olivia Cooke, Jon Bernthal, Nick Offerman and Molly Shannon
Release Date: 3 September 2015
Rating: M

David Edwards