Sorry, this movie sucks

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Let me first say that I believe Frank John Hughes and Rick Gomez to be two of the truly underrated actors in Hollywood, to say nothing of the fact that they were also responsible for producing and writing this masterpiece. I'd watch anything the two of them put out. Frank John Hughes could have held his own in this film with his eyes alone. He is brilliant. Rick Gomez plays his role to perfection, using his signature blend of sarcasm & dry humor, mixed with an incredibly heart-wrenching display of raw emotion. His versatility makes him one of the best kept secrets in Hollywood. LEAVE is a film that I can watch over and over again, regardless of the fact that I already know the ending.

I've always liked both main actors although I didn't know their names. I now have a new respect for them since they not only gave heartbreaking performances but also wrote the film. I had a brother who died horribly in much the same way. I'll give them an A for effort but no film could ever really show the physical ravages of cancer and the true horror and emotionally devastating reality of a lingering death. There is nothing more soul crushingly sad than seeing your mother stroking her comatose sons hair, whispering in his ear to let go. That was my hell to witness. Saying that, I was brought to tears and blown away by the idea of a victim of this insidious disease, whichever variety it is, existing on another plain of thought, working it out in some spiritual dreamlike paranoid but ultimately beneficial delusion. It has made me see my brothers death in a new light. I hope he had a chance to work it out in his own mind before his life ultimately ended. It's been 15 years since my brothers death and not a day goes by that he is not in my thoughts. I miss him. I'm not religious at all and sometimes I envy those people who can believe. I see how it could soften the blow in situations like this. I could be wrong but when it's over maybe I'll see him again and he'll be there to help me down that road, wherever it leads. This film was a beautiful and deeply moving cinematic experience that has brought a lot of emotions to the surface, one which I could have done without seeing but glad I didn't.

Although those who strongly prefer solid action-driven drama will probably not like LEAVE, it is a quiet and subtle little film that unpretentiously raises questions about our notions of life, death, and reality. It's both well-acted and well-filmed, albeit draggy in places. I found myself repeatedly asking, "Huh? Where is all this supposed to be going?" Exercising a little patience, however, I found it all tied together, made sense, and "delivered" in the end.Since mood and atmosphere are so important in a film of this type, I can see why some people belittle it for being touchy-feely. Nevertheless, LEAVE has a very strong (if not somewhat uneventful) storyline and is head and shoulders above the solipsistic fluff that we are often subjected to these days.

Like another reviewer, I joined just to comment on this movie and also, to undo their remarks and score. I also felt that it wouldn't be fair to submit my take without adding that it might share a bit too much, (ok I wrote a spoiler) also who would want to be blacklisted right out of the gate. I rented this movie without reading the premise; I was in hurry and the 4 and a half star rating got me. Never do anything in a hurry. It has been over a half hour since the credits and at this point, I feel in a better position to evaluate the story.My first reaction is do I suggest or warn my two siblings and/or forbid my Mother from accidentally viewing this film. I decided yes to the former and yes to the latter. After eight years without spending Christmas with our Sister, for some reason this year got to me more then the past, so a movie like this really took me off guard. Our entire family went through a scene all too similar to this stories ending. I knew something was about to take a turn, just didn't think it would go down like it did, with the bed and IV drip. The writer had to have lost someone to this disease, because it does not seem possible to be this keen without first hand experience. We lost her 8 years ago around the Holidays and I'm finding out that some years affect you more then others and although a film like this can stir thing up, I'm grateful, by chance, to have seen it. I wrote this review and embellished so others can get a real life perspective and hope others share as well. It is better to release emotions then to hold them in and then explode on the innocent.Everyone involved in this Production was superb! My favorite was Frank John Hughes (Chris) where has this under rated actor been and why doesn't he garner more attention. Dude you were Great, simply Great! The entire movie was an unexpected surprise; especially that it received so little attention. I wish I could do a memory dump and watch it anew, even with the tears. I have just become a Gomez and Hughes fan for their pen and a fan of the four principal actors as well. This Movie was F**kin Great.