If you hate The Fault in Our Stars but like some teenage drama from time to time, this is an indie version of the aforementioned in which the director is not addicted to high-fructose corn syrup.

This funny teenage film reflects on the relationship between a high school nobody, his best friend Earl and the dying girl Rachel during their last year of high school in a suburb in New England. Even if from this description it might sound like you have seen this movie many times before, the director and cast do a great job of keeping the film humorous and engaging, giving a different perspective on the classic teenage-themed film.

Two of the protagonists are amateur filmmakers, so for fellow movie nerds one of the most enjoyable parts of the film will be the screenings of their home-made parodies of classics, such as Senior Citizen Cane and Eyes Wide Butt.

This is Gomez-Rejon’s debut film, apparent from the care and attention to detail, cinematography and creative camera work that earned him the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. 

Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
USA
2015
DVD
104 min