Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
Writer: Jesse Andrews (Screenplay) Jesse Andrews (Novel)
Starring: Thomas Mann, RJ Cyler, Olivia Cooke, Nick Offerman, Connie Britton, Molly Shannon, Jon Bernthal, Katherine C Hughes, Matt Bennett, Masam Holden
Plot: High schooler Greg, who spends most of his time making parodies of classic movies with his co-worker Earl, finds his outlook forever altered befriending a classmate who has just been diagnosed with cancer.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Delightful but Tragic Drama
Story: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl starts with Greg (Mann) struggling to tell his story. Greg goes about his high school journey where he knows how to get away without ever being out of place with any social groups along with his best friend who Greg refers to as his co-worker Earl (Cyler). When Greg learns the news that one of his class mate Rachel (Cooke) has been diagnosed with leukemia his parents force him to reach out to her.
While the Greg and Rachel start their friendship in an unconventional style as they believe they are both very different. We discovers that Greg and Earl enjoy making short films. Greg and Rachel do end up becoming actual friends and along with Earl we follow as the three continue a normal life while everyone else treats Rachel like she is suffering which includes Greg and Earl making a movie for Rachel.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl comes off feeling very fresh without becoming a full blown tear jerker, this could have easily gone down as just another film about a dying girl well dying but this film approaches the story from another angle, it shows what it would be like for a friend during the dying character time of suffering. This story never wants to let it get too down on what is happening and constantly trying to push the characters to look into the future. I especially like how Rachel is pushing Greg into making up his mind reflecting where the two stand, Greg having all the time in the world not wanting to use it while she knows she doesn’t pushing him to make sure he doesn’t waste it. This film is a delightful story that should be watched by all even if you need a tissue or two by the end. (8/10)
Actor Review
Thomas Mann: Greg is the social awkward high school student and along with his best friend which he refers to as co-worker befriend Rachel as he tries to treat her like a normal girl while everyone else everyone else is to sympathetic to her situation. We follow his last year at high school as he also has to make his big decision about his future and the two help each other. Thomas does a great job in this role and could easily be a future star. (9/10)
RJ Cyler: Earl is the co-worker to Greg who is actually his best friend who makes movies with Greg because they share the love for classic cinema. RJ gives a great debut role in a supporting role. (8/10)
Olivia Cooke: Rachel is the dying girl who once she gets diagnosed finds everyone treating her differently until Greg comes along to offer a new friendship where he gives her a normal friendship without sympathy and she teaches him to grow up. Olivia gives a great performance which will give us a leading star for the future. (9/10)
Support Cast: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl has a brilliant supporting cast that all give brilliant performances.
Director Review: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon – Alfonso gives us a brilliant film that goes against traditional tragic stories. (9/10)
Comedy: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl has light comedy throughout which works well for the subject. (7/10)
Drama: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl gives us a near perfect drama about just growing up when one of the best friends won’t make it. (9/10)
Settings: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl uses the settings to show how normal the lives of the characters are because it will be what everyday people will have to deal with through the situation. (9/10)
Suggestion: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is one to be watched by all, it is one of the best stories of the year and will teach you the lesson in life. (Watch)
Best Part: Performances by Mann and Cooke.
Worst Part: Not one.
Believability: The suffering the characters would go through are real, the idea of friendship is real. (8/10)
Chances of Tears: You will have a few by the end. (5/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Similar Too: The Fault in Our Stars
Oscar Chances: Could be an outside bet.
Budget: $8 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 45 Minutes
Tagline: A little friendship never killed anyone
Overall: Brilliant Drama about growing up and not being afraid of the world
Rating 
