Friday, November 28, 2014

Review of YOU'RE NOT YOU: Slow Torture of ALS

November 27, 2014




Kate is a woman who has it all. She is beautiful, wealthy, a talented pianist, and had a loving husband. Bec is a young woman who seemed to have everything going against her. She is an irresponsible college student, always drunk, sleeps around, a failed musician. 

But one fateful day, Kate was diagnosed with the debilitating neurologic disease called ALS, which left her progressively helpless with her personal care. When she was choosing her caretaker, Kate saw something in the mess that is Bec.  From an awkward start, these two women, who are polar opposites of each other, get along, bonded and helped each other get through the kinks in their lives. 

When ALS was mentioned as the diagnosis, you knew then where this film is headed. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and its devastating degenerative consequences, has been in the news very much this year because of the viral Ice Bucket Challenge. There will be no big surprises as to what will happen during the course of the story up to the end. 

However, what will keep you glued to the screen are the performances of the two lead actresses: Hilary Swank as Kate, and Emmy Rossum as Bec. 

I have not seen Hilary Swank for a long time already since her two Oscar Best Actress wins in the previous decade for "Boys Don't Cry" (1999) and "Million Dollar Baby" (2004). This film is somewhat reminiscent of the second film where she played a female boxer who had a spinal cord injury that made her quadriplegic. 

Here in "You're Not You," the progress of the neurologic disorder is gradual, so Swank brought us on that slow, torturous tour of how it is like to have your body deteriorate even as your brain remains completely lucid. Her character Kate remained so magnanimous throughout her ordeal, making her character likable and sympathetic, even if we do not understand much of what she was saying anymore.

I have not seen Emmy Rossum in another role since her breakthrough as the ingenue Christine in the film version of the Broadway musical "The Phantom of the Opera" (2004). Her brash and slovenly character here is so different from the meek, refined Christine in Phantom. This effectively shows the wide range Ms. Rossum has gained over the years. Those who miss her singing voice will also get to hear it again here.

Here, we will also see the various reactions of different people around Kate and Bec about their unusual arrangement and friendship -- their parents, the men in their lives, their friends -- which kept things interesting. You will reflect about your own reactions if one of your loved ones should get this difficult affliction. On Kate's side, Josh Duhamel plays her controlling husband Evan. Frances Fisher plays her mother. Ali Larter and Andrea Savage play her fair-weather friends. On Bec's side, we have Marcia Gay Harden who plays her cold but concerned mother. Julian McMahon plays her sleazy professor she fools around with. Jason Ritter plays her dorky but persistent suitor.

This film may be hard to swallow in several parts because of the intensity of the depressing dramatic situations. The psychological reactions of the characters do not seem too typical, which is also good as they gave the material some unexpected surprises, though some do not feel realistic. However, the central performances of Swank and Rossum were so effective that empathetic audiences will be moved, maybe even to tears. 7/10.



21 comments:

  1. You reviewed this film very carefully not too melodramatic in tone. Glad of your honest review.

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  2. You did great review. But I usually dont watch depressive movie which makes me upset :'( btw thanks for honest review.

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  3. Hmmm... melodrama films... Not sure if I will watch it because I know I will cry. But this will definitely help me in my acting!

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  4. 7 / 10 .... I think I'm watching this film. You can't go wrong with Hilary Swank. I've loved every movie that she's starred in.

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  5. Hillary Swank is a great actress and good thing she made a new film. Kinda sad movie which I am not into.

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  6. I like the way you write your reviews. Very direct to the point and not sugar coating the details. I'll watch this movie for I am a big fan of Swank and Rossum.

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  7. Nice review. Will watch it should the movie aired in my country. :D

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  8. Swank is an awesome actress and I'll probably catch this if i can. Or maybe I'll pick up the dvd and watch it at home. wouldn't wanna be bawling in the cinema....

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  9. I recently watched Swank's work in Boys don't cry, I found her acting very compelling and convincing even in difficult roles. Thanks for the intro, I think I'll watch this one this weekend. Bookmarked;)

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    1. Boys Don't Cry was really a devastating performance by Swank. She won Oscar for Best Actress even if she was hardly known back then.

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  10. we do not have this movie You're Not You playing here. i will check out if i can download. sort of attracted to the progress of the neurologic disorder is gradual. how

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  11. I like that this film accurately shows the degression of ALS in a way that the viral Ice Bucket challenge never explained. I'd love to see how Emmy and Hilary work it on screen so I'd love to watch this.

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  12. Though I've researched about the ALS during the ice bucket challenge, I still need to understand it and maybe watching this movie would somehow show me what actually that sickness do for people who has it.

    I've seen the poster yesterday at Glorietta. Just not sure if it's showing already. If it is, I'll definitely watch this. I'm currently turning my back on dramatic movies but because this is about something (ALS), I'll give it a go.

    Thanks for making a review without spoiling the story. :)

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    1. This was already shown in Manila theaters last week.

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  13. Beautiful review Fred, you have made me want to see this. I didn't originally because of how sad it will surely be, but now I think I will. It seems very touching.

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  14. My friend was also able to watch this. He also had favorable comments on the performance of Hillary Swank and Emmy Rossum.

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  15. ALS is hit this day. Many people know about it. I guess this make the audiences esier understand what is going on on the patient.

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  16. I haven't seen both of those actresses in a while and so it's great to hear that they are back in a film about a subject that has garnered huge attention. I hope to see it.

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  17. I haven't seen this movie yet, but I've read a review before. And your beautiful review really makes me more interested to finally watch You're Not You. Anyway, I'm glad that after the hype of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge comes this movie to enlighten more people what ALS is really about.

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  18. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is such a serious disease and nobody has a guarantee that he/she will not suffer from it. So it is great that the movie brings awareness to that issue. Great concept!

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  19. i'm a crier when it comes to movies like this. i dont know much about als though and this movie... makes me want to understand it better. nice review.

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