The Sundance buzz for Me
and Earl and the Dying Girl is the real deal.
Based on the novel by Jesse Andrews, the movie is about the
unlikely friendship between Greg (Thomas Mann) and Rachel (Olivia Cooke), the
titular girl who is dying of leukemia. It's really awkward at first, especially
since Greg is just being friendly because his mom made him. It doesn't help
that Greg is so aloof that he refers to his best friend Earl (RJ Cyler),
with whom he spends hours and hours making goofy films, as his coworker.
To their surprise, Greg and Rachel and Earl become tight, and with that comes all
sorts of heavy emotions.
Okay, so that maybe doesn't sound super different than any
other Teen Boy Comes Of Age, Learns Stuff movie, but it is. We promise. Plus, the supporting cast includes Connie Britton and Nick
Offerman as Greg's parents, and Molly Shannon as Rachel's mom. And, there's lots
to love for film buffs too, as Greg and Earl spend a lot of their time making dorky
homages to classic movies.
Sometimes, the late nights and high altitude of Park City contribute to a sort of festival frenzy where movies that get major love (and big bucks)
are soon forgotten. But, others, like Beasts
of the Southern Wild, turn out to be right on the money. Me and Earl is the latter, so grab a
hanky and check out the first trailer.
Me and Earl and the
Dying Girl opens on June 12. (Fox Searchlight)