Films about teenagers with cancer have become synonymous with precociousness and sentimentality – as if teen cancer is okay because it gives a sense of purpose to the surviving characters.
Indie dramedy Me And Earl And The Dying Girl resists such stereotyping however. It features funny and realistic portrayals of teenage anguish, loss, and the fact that “the universe does not operate according to a college deadline.”
Alfonso Gomez-Rejon’s whimsical directing combines with Jesse Andrew’s wry screenplay (adapted from his book), to become almost Hughsian in its portrayal of teenage life. Thomas Mann plays Greg, an insecure but witty high-schooler. Likable if understated, Greg’s world is populated by fascinating characters that remain underdeveloped thanks to his narcissim – his friend Earl (RJ Cyler, mature and intriguing) who comes from a broken family and a dodgy neighbourhood; Rachel (Olivia Cooke, dignified), his artistic neighbour who is diagnosed with leukaemia; even his straight-talking, tattoo-covered history teacher (Jon Bernthal, scene- stealing), who is still mourning his father.
It’s thus disappointing that yet again the Privileged White Teenage Boy takes precedence over more interesting characters, reducing the other two titular characters to The Magical Black Friend and Teenage Girl in a Refrigerator.
There is still much to admire in a film that is crammed with insights: self- conscious moments are highlighted by wide framing; nervous interactions with pretty girls are portrayed via stop-motion animal characters; and inadvertent drug experimentation comes complete with wavy hallucinations. Overall, this is impressive stuff.