Movie #112 2020: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl has recently made a resurgence since it was added to Netflix. My only motivation to watch it was because everyone else was doing so. I won’t lie, I was a sheep in that moment.

However, my willingness to follow was nicely rewarded because I got a cute, indie, coming-of-age dramedy as a result of it.

Before I get into the nooks of the film, I have to say this: ”AHHHHH Nick Offerman is in this and I didn’t know! What a great surprise!” Nick always seems to play a version of Ron Swanson but that’s why I love him. And “Did you know you can smoke a hornet?” is just about the most Ron thing you could ever say. Anyway…

Again, this is a cute, funny, indie style movie. Honestly, it seems like the kind of thing Lena Dunham can only wish to make. It has a kind of Tiny Furniture feel to it, only that it’s 10 times better because through the depressing parts come little rays of sunshine in the form of humour. For instance, I am obsessed with the home movies that the main characters make in their spare time. If you’re a sucker for a good pun, the segments in which they showcase them will be right up your alley. “Senior Citizen Kane” was especially inspired on the pun front.

What struck me the most – and took me by the most surprise – was that the cinematography in Earl is way too good. Most teen dramas get a big fat zero in that department… other than Mean Girls, obviously. There should be more coming of age movies like this, and that’s a fact. (By that, I mean not cringe-worthy, à la The Fault In Our Stars, and more realistic, à la Lady Bird).

For a low budget indie like this one, it is certainly impressive. The only thing that pissed me off about it was the ending… But it is literally the biggest spoiler I could give you, so I won’t divulge in that.

If these types of movies are your jam, this is another above average one to add to your collection.

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is available to stream on Netflix in the UK.

TQR Category Ratings:

Performance: 
Cinematography: 
Soundtrack: 
Costume & Set Design: 
Plot: 
Overall Rating: