My Life Without Me (2003)

Director: Isabel Coixet
Starring: Sarah Polley, Amanda Plummer, Scott Speedman, Deborah Harry, Mark Ruffalo & Leonor Watling

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Here's a beautifully acted tragic but uplifting film (How many times have you heard that one in just one week's film reviews? It's true here nonetheless.) about a woman (Polley) whose doctor announce to her that she only has six months to live. She keeps the information to herself and goes about making and executing a "list of things to do before death". We follow her as she makes a man--besides her husband--fall in love with her. We watch her bring her neighbor over in hopes that her husband will fall in love with her. Some scenes are hard to watch, but the film provides plenty of levity. Here is a character freed from the grind. Here is a character who must enjoy the time she has left. My Life Without Me is a quiet film with a great script and a great cast, and should be enjoyed in an environment and mindset conducive to that.

February 17
friend's apartment TV, evening

* * *

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