Forget 'The Fault in Our Stars', Watch This Touching Drama With 'House of the Dragon' Star Instead
It is a lyrical, witty, and deeply human film about a friendship stronger than death.
If The Fault in Our Stars is the quintessential movie about teenage illness and tragedy – built on romance and sentimentality – then Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is the least typical of the genre.
This indie tragicomedy, directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, stars Olivia Cooke as Rachel, a girl with leukemia.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl tells about friendship, love, death, and all the significant moments that accompany us on the journey to adulthood.
What Is 'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl' About?
High school student Greg spends most of his time making parodies of classic films with his best friend, Earl. Their parodies may sound silly and absurd, but they reveal a genuine love for cinema and an attempt to make sense of the world through art.
Raised on movies, Greg is unsure how to interact with people in real life. He is forced to befriend Rachel, a classmate who has just been diagnosed with cancer. This reluctant friendship turns his entire worldview upside down.
'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl' Offers Honest Friendship Instead of Sentimental Manipulation
The main difference between Me and Earl and the Dying Girl and movies like The Fault in Our Stars is that Alfonso Gomez-Rejon's film eschews emotional manipulation.
Greg doesn't fall in love with Rachel, perform heroic deeds for her, or deliver stirring speeches at sunset – he simply stays by her side, often clumsily and awkwardly, and sometimes even cruelly, because he doesn't know how to act when someone close to you is dying.
Olivia Cooke brilliantly balances the contrasting facets of her character. Her portrayal of Rachel is that of a wonderfully likable heroine who can make you laugh one moment and break your heart the next.
'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl' Strikes the Perfect Balance of Laughter and Tears
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl strikes a graceful balance between sadness and humor, ensuring that viewers neither become bored nor sink into despair. Alfonso Gomez-Rejon skillfully blends the characters' fantasies with reality, creating a unique visual language rich in cinematic references.
Though the movie deals with death, it leaves viewers with a sense of gratitude for every day lived rather than emptiness.
Upon seeing the phrase "dying girl" in the title, most people likely anticipate naive emotional manipulation from the filmmakers. However, this movie is immeasurably more than that.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl'?
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Me and Earl and the Dying Girl has 81% from critics and 86% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.7/10.
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On Letterboxd, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl scored 3.9/5.0.
Where to Watch 'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl'?
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
