Sadly Over-hyped

Good movie but grossly overrated

Good concept, poorly executed.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Not far into this movie I said to myself, "this style reminds me of Twilight." Sure enough, when the end credits rolled up I saw it was directed by Catherine Hardwick. I think this could've been a much better film in the hands of someone else. I wasn't a fan of the cinematography at all. Even though Collette and Barrymore give great performances the movie drags. Tysonitter totally took me out of the story. I mean he even has his AAR tattoo practically screaming in your face. I thought it was a poor choice. I appreciate the film's bleak look at cancer and how it affects the person diagnosed as well as everyone around them. It was emotional and as someone who has experienced loss and grief, quite triggering. I felt rather depressed (I mean, it's about cancer) and I kind of wish I'd known beforehand what it was about. This is a movie I would advise others to skip, but to each their own.

Jess (Drew Barrymore) and Milly (Toni Collette) are lifelong friends from childhood. Jess was an American girl fish-out-of-water in England and Milly was the only one who befriended her. Milly's mother Miranda (Jacqueline Bisset) is an often-absent flaky actress. The girls did everything together. Milly has famed rocker husband Kit (Dominic Cooper), a high powered job, and two kids. Jess lives on a boat with Jago (Paddy Considine) desperately trying to get pregnant. The couple's money is drained and Jago has to work on a North Sea oil rig. Then Milly is diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer.This is solid female friendship material. The breast cancer story has its melodramatic touches but it doesn't go overboard. There are enough surprises to keep it fresh. Director Catherine Hardwicke could have made this tighter. Through it all, Barrymore and Collette create a believable best friends duo. Collette especially shines. In the pantheon of female best friends with cancer, this is one of the better ones.

We watched this at home on DVD from our local library. It is written by a woman and directed by a woman, both with a keen sensitivity for one of the big subjects here, breast cancer. It is funny at times, sad at times, but it rings very true most of the time. Real life is often messy , this story looks at it head-on and unvarnished.The two female characters met when they were 10, one an American new to England. They meet at school and become fast friends. They shared many of the experiences growing up, they even "shared" their first kisses. The American, all grown up, is Drew Barrymore as Jess, married by still without children. Her best friend is Toni Collette as Milly, also married and she has been busy growing her family.Paddy Considine is Jago, married to Jess, and Dominic Cooper is Kit, married to Milly. The big curve thrown here is when Milly is diagnosed with breast cancer, she needs to undergo treatment, while Jess and Jago continue to pursue having kids via IVF. As a guy I enjoyed it mostly for the actors and the characters they create but also am sensitive to the issue. My wife and I discuss it from time to time.SPOILERS: As Milly received treatment it seems to be going well but in a later checkup she is told that the cancer has spread, to her brain, and it cannot be treated. Se will die soon, as Jess is about to have her baby. Life goes on.

"I just don't want to rub it in that my life is great right now." Jess (Barrymore) and Milly (Collette) have been friends forever. They have experienced the best and worst life has to offer them. Their strength of their friendship is tested when Milly is diagnosed with cancer and Jess becomes pregnant. This is a very good movie that isn't as depressing as you may think. The chemistry between the two actresses is perfect and you really feel like they have been friends for years and years. The movie is comedy, drama, real and emotional all at the same time without ever becoming sappy or totally clichéd. I think that women will enjoy this more than men, but I did think it was good and I actually do recommend this. A great story about true friendship and being there for each other no matter what happens. It's a toned down 50/50 for women. Overall, a very heartfelt comedy that will leave you feeling happy, which is hard to do with this subject matter. I give this a B.