Now Is Good Disc Review

• 27th Jan 2013

A British film about a teenage girl dying of cancer; perfect Saturday afternoon viewing, no?

I could think of better things to do with my Saturday afternoon than settling down on the sofa and preparing myself to watch a wholly depressing film. But, that is precisely what I did and, boy was I wrong! Now, I’m not heartless and a few moments certainly tugged on the old heartstrings and brought a lump to my throat but I was expecting to be a snivelling mess surrounded by tear stained tissues.

Set in glorious Brighton, Now Is Good is the story of 17 year old Tessa (Dakota Fanning) as she tries to live a normal life and tick a few things off her list that most teenagers don’t think twice about, especially her best friend Zoey (Kaya Scodelario).  Top of her list is losing her virginity. I don’t want to give the wrong impression here; this is no A Walk To Remember. Yes, I know: leukaemia, teenage girl, dying, bucket list, sounds totally like the same movie. It really isn’t.  Fanning plays a far more believable part than Mandy Moore ever did and adds a pretty believable English accent into the mix too.

You heart doesn’t immediately go out to Tessa. She’s rude, uncooperative and downright mean at times to those trying to help her, but the more you think about it, the more you understand why. I’m pretty sure had it been me diagnosed with leukaemia when I was a teenager I’d have cranked up the angst to 11 too. On top of all the usual teenage strops, this is a girl trying to come to terms with the fact she is unlikely to see her 18^th birthday, never mind all the other milestones that come with growing up. Despite the fact I was a bit confused by the casting of Fanning in this role to begin with she is wholly memorable and plays it brilliantly. Mentions also have to go to Paddy Considine who totally broke my heart as her father and Jeremy Irvine who is both dreamy and strong in equal proportions and the absolute perfect love interest. Not quite ready to stand up to the challenge of having an ill girlfriend from the off and certainly struggling with the harsh realities of her illness at times, but all in all a dashing hero.

I have to mention the soundtrack because it’s quite rare that I pay much attention to the music in a film on my first viewing of it. However, the soundtrack to this movie is awesome and definitely a compilation album I’d like to own. Filled with the likes of Lana Del Rey, Metric and M83 it’s a bit of a hipster’s playlist but I thoroughly enjoyed it!

In short, I was pleasantly surprised this isn’t the depressing sobfest I expected it to be. I mean, it’s no uplifting feel good movie but it is nice. I hate using that word because it conjures up images of mediocrity but I genuinely don’t mean it in that way. It’s a good window into the mind of a teenage girl, whether they’re ill or not, and it won’t leave you reaching for the razorblades. It does sniff slightly of stilton once or twice but there is a careful tightrope to walk when it comes to this subject; balancing between the stark reality and cheesy schmaltz. Thankfully, Now Is Good manages it – just.

Laura Johnson