MovieChat Forums > Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015) Discussion > I liked the movie until... **SPOILERS**

I liked the movie until... SPOILERS

posted 10 years ago by dcTalker
24 replies | jump to latest

The ending ruined it for me.

Her death scene was a cheap manipulation for shock and emotion. We had been told repeatedly that she was going to live. We are supposed to be able to trust our narrator. There was no reason for him to lie, exposition wise, it just didn't make sense. Once he broke our trust, he is an unreliable narrator. I was supposed to feel sadness and shock when it happened. I was just ticked and irritated. Really cheap trick.

Also, that scene wasn't very well done at all. As an audience member, I felt no connection to this video reveal that had been building throughout the movie. She was visibly moved, but why? There's a disconnect. Then she dies and it just happens to be while she's watching the video. How conveniently emotionally heart wrenching!

Bummer, I really liked the movie up until her death scene.

Still, I liked the Earl character a lot. And Ron Swanson.

[–] dgthompson 9 years ago

I hear what you are saying - but in the beginning of the movie the narrator says he made a movie "that literally killed someone". So whenever he said she doesn't die at the end, I actually thought he was lying because of the original quote saying the movie killed someone.

[–] cdunbar-959-324822 9 years ago

Very sharp observation! But if I'm not mistaken Greg also blames himself for Rachel's death within the same sentence, and we know that isn't at all true. That's just guilt speaking. In this case, the viewer has to know what to discard and what to believe, which is pretty much impossible. I don't think we can call Greg an unreliable narrator, since they tend to be chronic liars, and he isn't. He's writing under emotional duress, while in mourning, and in that context the information he discloses doesn't need to make perfect sense. He's not trying to manipulate us, he's just trying to pay tribute to Rachel's life. Did you like the film overall?

[–] Tuosma 9 years ago

You're incredibly naive if you believed him when he said "don't worry, she's not going to die"

[–] everythingangels 9 years ago

I don't think so. I happened to believe she was going to die... it's just what is to be expected from a movie like this and I actually was really hoping the movie wouldn't take "the easy way out" and the ending would be something else altogether.

However, the movie went out of its way to try and lead the viewer into accepting the idea that she wouldn't die... now, it was either just being honest there or it was lazily reiterating this idea to try and be more shocking when she did indeed die. Either way, the movie DEFINITELY is trying to steer the viewer into at least questioning whether or not she would die.

And... you know... it's a movie. Anything can happen. I don't know the writer of the movie very well and for all I know they made this movie as a tribute to M. Night Shymalalalacoocoopuffmulan and the end would involve her being an alien the whole time and talking to the narrator... who, ready for this... was actually dead the whole time himself!!!

Even more than that... if we accept that the writer had a message in mind here then she doesn't actually have to die! There's no greater message there! As such, there's really NOTHING in the movie that tells the viewer that she needs to die at the end... and the ONLY reason to assume she's going to die is simply because, again, it's just the easiest way for a writer to handle the ending of such a tale and it appeals to a viewer's feelings.

Now, having said all that, the film is based on a book... so we sorta have to give a pass a bit to the writer of the screenplay for some of the decisions they make.

But simply looking at the film as a film that stands on its own... why would the writer here keep telling us that she's not going to die? What would be the point of this? I wasn't actually very bothered by that, mind you... but I certainly can appreciate a viewer that would be.

[–] JohnArmless 9 years ago

You have a point, but it is weak.

You just got pissed off because you were cheated by the narrator and you think everything in the movie was forced. Nope, it wasnt.

Olivia did a superb perfomance and evertyhing went so natural in a different way. The finale was lovely

[–] mike_7412 9 years ago

Completely agree. Was totally into the movie until that scene, and what followed.

[–] bewildERINg0 9 years ago

Based on Greg's personality and behavior throughout the movie, particularly closer towards the end, it was kinda clear- to me, at least- that him saying Rachel didn't die was due to his own denial. Nearly all of the "hints" of her death are there, which I think is part of the reason Greg got mad at Rachel for ending her treatment. I read the book hours before watching the movie and I'll admit that when he first said it I wondered if they were going to change the course of the story, but then it became pretty clear to me that he was deflecting. I mean, Greg's coping skills are clearly horrible.

I thought the ending/her death scene was beautiful. Between the hospital scene and Greg going through her room, I was probably in tears for a good 30 minutes. I think she was moved by the film solely because she knew how much Greg loved making them, he usually kept them secret but opened up and showed them to her, and also this one in particular was specifically for her. I don't think it would've mattered to her what was in that movie, to be honest. Even if the death scene can come off as a little too "convenient," I still think it was visually very well done.

[–] darlingmagic 8 years ago

1. The movie is called, Me and Earl and the DYING Girl

2. He says at the beginning she dies

3. Rachel clearly says she has Stage 4 cancer

4. Pay more attention when you watch films

[–] Humanity_Youve_Failed 8 years ago

Sorry, but I disagree with your entire post.

Her death was not for shock and awe. There are many people with cancer and those that know people with cancer that tell them "You're going to be okay" and think they will recover. I have had family and i know others have, who you felt may just be that "one in a million" to pull through, but they didn't.

This is what happens in that movie. He kept reassuring the "audience" she doesn't die, because he was reminded of how much he reassured himself she wouldn't, but it happened anyway despite the reassurance. We felt the reassurance the entire movie that she isn't going to die then she died, just as he reassured himself the entire time she wouldn't and was in disbelief when she did.

This isn't for shock with no real meaning to the plot. It's for an actual, plausible scenario that happens every day.
Sorry that you are "ticked and irritated" by a reality that happens every day.

"Also, that scene wasn't very well done at all. As an audience member, I felt no connection to this video reveal that had been building throughout the movie. She was visibly moved, but why? There's a disconnect. "

She was moved by the movie because she knew Greg had actually wound up wanting to make it, rather than someone just forcing him to do so. It was an actual kind gesture on his part, and he was opening up to her which he hadn't done despite their constant every day hangouts.

She was also probably "moved" and upset at the fact that she is watching a video specifically made for her because she is DYING.
Surely, the fact that she is watching a movie made for her because she is about to die is reason enough to be moved and terrified. The movie is a reminder that she is going to be dead soon. How could you not have emotion to that if you were in her place? I mean seriously.

[–] nicole_tubbs 8 years ago

Excellent! I agree 100% on everything you have said!

[–] thebadassunicorn 8 years ago

You stole the words write out of my mouth

I mean Greg even says in the narration (I'm paraphrasing cause I don't know exact wording) I know I told you she wasn't going to die and I'm sorry. i never thought she would ... but she did.