NOW IS GOOD
UK, 2011, 103 minutes, Colour.
Dakota Fanning, Paddy Considine, Jeremy Irvine, Olivia Williams, Kaya Scodelario, Julian Wadham.
Directed by Ol Parker.
Now is Good is based on a popular novel by Jennie Downham, Before I Die. It has been adapted for the screen and directed by Ol Parker. It is the story of a teenager suffering from leukemia and preparing to die, having her own particular bucket list for achievement.
Dakota Fanning is very good as the young woman, English accent and all. She communicates the physical discomfort of leukemia as well as the psychological repercussions and the question of when to stop medical treatment. She has a flat mate, Zoe, Kaya Scodelario, who is much freer spirit, trying to lead Tessa into different adventures.
Tessa knows her own mind, and is willing to participate in shoplifting, though she has to face the police and the disapproval of her father. He is played by Paddy Considine, obsessed with his daughter’s illness, wanting to protect her, not wanting to face up to the fact that he will lose her. Her mother, separated from her husband, is much more reluctant to face the truth. Tessa also has a young brother who bluntly comes up with all kinds of comments and questions. Jeremy Irvine plays the boy next door, a sympathetic young man who befriends Tessa and falls in love with her, promising to be with her until the end.
The film has a great deal of sentiment but, being made with a touch of English reserve, there is a resistance to sentimentality.
1. The title of the film? The focus on Tessa in the present? The novel’s title, Before I Die, the prospect of death? The perspective of the teenage young woman, the audience which identifies with her?
2. The UK setting, the town, home, streets, the cliffs and the countryside, the musical score?
3. The portrait of Tessa, Dakota Fanning with the British character and accent? Her age, appearance, leukemia, the visible effects, the psychological effect? Medical condition, the visits to the Doctor, The issue of treatment or not having treatment? The bond with her father, his not wanting to let her go, his ever-presence, permissions and refusing them, accompanying her? He is ‘no’ to Adam? Tessa’s mother, separation, not facing the issues? The little brother, his perspective, blunt questions and comments? Zoe, her friendship, sharing the flat? Tessa’s list, revealed in her room? Her hopes? The slight aspects of the drama? The serious aspects? The sexual implications?
4. Zoe, her character, a spirit of freedom, with the boys, making out? Tessa watching, Cal, his frustration, the later meetings? Zoe, the pregnancy test, her reactions, the decisions, abortion, talking to Tessa, the perspective of life, keeping the baby, wanting Tessa to assist at the birth, but the reality of her death?
5. The escapades, the shop, stealing, being caught, the police station?
6. Tessa’s father, his character, sad, obsessed, separated from his wife, loving his son, the meetings, the care and protection of Tessa?
7. Her mother, unwilling to face the situation, coming late to the hospital, but the bonding, wanting to stay at the end?
8. The brother, innocently blunt?
9. Adam, living next door, the meetings and discussions, friendly, his learning the truth, becoming protective, Tessa’s reaction? Talking to Adam’s mother? Her father’s suspicions of him? Going out, the bike, the ups and downs and moods, walking along the cliffs, the bond, together at the end? The date, her collapse, going to hospital, her parents present, Adam absent, yet all the graffiti on the walls and her response? His promise to care for Tessa, his love for her?
10. The glimpse of life and the teenage girl, her life, having little live, facing realities?
