ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL (2015)

Even with a title that doesn't scream "happy ending," I was drawn in by all the praise heaped on this film ... and the fact it co-stars Olivia Cooke, one of the best young actors working today.  Greg (a terrific Thomas Mann) is a high school senior who's managed to coast through life without making a single enemy - or a single friend, with the exception of his "co-worker" (Greg hates the term "friend") Earl (RJ Cyler, also terrific).  That is, until Greg's mom forces him to hang out for a day with Rachel (Cooke), the daughter of a friend (and classmate of Greg's) who's just been diagnosed with leukemia.  From here the film goes in both expected and surprising directions, but what's wonderful is it all feels authentic - so genuine to the story, the characters, and the flawed real world we live in.  Laughter and tears both in store, but one thing I didn't expect was for the film to be this touching - this real (thanks in large part to the three leads) - and this affecting, making me reflect on my own life and world.  Lovely stuff. (rated PG-13)  A