This was a fascinating film, with quirky characters.
Greg (Thomas Mann) is a loner who has more issues than someone in his position should have. He has kind, loving, devoted albeit nagging parents.
He doesn't have any friends. Okay, he does but he won't admit it. Earl Jackson (RJ Cyler) and Greg go way back and they make odd, avant gerde film together. Earl even eats all the weird food Greg's dad (Nick Offerman) has in the house.
Then, his mother (Connie Britton) forces him to befriend Rachel Kushner (Olivia Cooke). He doesn't want to go and she doesn't want him there, but Connie forces him so he goes and eventually, and somewhat reluctantly the two become friends. It does stay platonic. She likes their odd films and he doesn't mind her new bald head. He tries to keep her sane and she does the same to him.
And then she stops treatment. He is furious, unable to believe that she would give up on life.
Though he promised she wouldn't die, she does. And it kills him, though he does start to rebuild his life. He gave up on school work just to send time with her, so his grades dropped severely and the college took back his admission. He and Earl got into a fight, though they make up at Rachel's funeral.
I have some problems with the film, namely Greg is an unreliable narrator and the friendship of Greg and Earl needed to be tied up better. Earl was also an underdeveloped character. He had some great lines, though he was very obsessed with boobs, in general not to anyone specific. But he needed more than that. His brother was also interesting. Each character was just that, a character.
The cinematography was great along with the set design. It is a film that I will watch again but I feel cheated. I wanted something better. I didn't want to be lied to. I wish Greg had changed more. That being said, it was a well done film with great acting, I just wished I liked the characters more. Earl was probably the most interesting and he didn't get as much screen time as he deserved. Grade: B+
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