WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
When you hear a phrase that begins “it spreads like a cancer”, we might often take for granted what actual picture and sobering reality that brings about, even in the context of how it is being utilized as a descriptor. And perhaps, it should give us pause to treat the entire concept of cancer with any sense of cliché or half-hearted meaning and tone. Because it is not a disease ever to take lightly, and the painful and devastating effects it has on both victims and those around them is tangible. For best friends Jess (Drew Barrymore) and Milly (Toni Collette), their bond had always been one big party. But as marriage and life take them in different directions, a new reality is about to drastically shift their focus.
With kids and a successful husband, Kit (Dominic Cooper), Milly has been living high. Meanwhile, Jess and her beau, Jago (Paddy Considine), have been desperate to start a family and at least have that success to share, even if career-wise it hasn’t worked the same. But when Milly gets diagnosed with breast cancer, it creates a radical change in circumstances between the two, as Jess strives to do everything she can to be there for Milly, even to the mild disapproval of Jago. When the illness takes even bigger hold, frustration-fueled tension rises for Milly and Kit. As Jess and Milly embark on an embattled road, all their notions of success in life and the depth of friendship gets tested.
Next, my Mind:
Films with this general theme may seem common in many respects, but it has always been in how the film’s narrative is written and executed, along with the characters themselves, that determines the weight of emotional impact it will have. For director Catherine Hardwicke’s story, “Miss You Already” completely excels in all its needed potency, starkly displaying the heartbreaking storm of conflict, both internally and outwardly, that a person can go through in light of such a distressing actuality. Visually convincing, persuasive, and compelling in the depiction of cancer’s deadly insidiousness, the film transports the viewer into the fray so forcefully, that the range of emotions one feels is simply overwhelming at times. But the point is formidable and achingly palpable.
Truly, Barrymore and Collette are a piece of genius casting here, as they can both encompass bringing two grounded people to beautiful life so well, you immediately react to each and every step they take, both in the good times and the challenging moments when things appear most dire. The emoting is solid, the genuineness of their performances carrying the weight of an ultimately harsh story effortlessly, even managing to permeate the dark cloud of cancer with some unexpected, sometimes irreverent, bouts of humor. And this really lends itself to presenting an illustration of real friends being there for one another in key moments in life, disagreements and all. The film’s final act accentuates this principal with heavy tear-inducing power, and puts the final exclamation point on one of the best indie efforts of 2015.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
