Here Awhile

Greetings again from the darkness. Political opinions don't appear in my reviews very often, but I can't help wonder if many of those opposing 'Death with Dignity' might feel differently if they found themselves in Anna's situation. The film opens with her in a doctor's office obviously receiving the most dreaded of news. The camera remains on her face. There is no dialogue, only her last moment gasp before we move to the opening credits.

Anna Camp ("True Blood") stars as Anna, diagnosed with terminal cancer. She has explored every possible treatment, including those in the experimental stage. Since none are an option for her, she has decided to move back to Oregon, where death with dignity is an option. She shows up unannounced on the front porch of her younger brother Michael's (Steven Strait) house. The two haven't seen each other in many years - not since their father kicked her out for being a lesbian. The father is now deceased and his ashes are in a file box in Michael's spare room.

The once close siblings re-connect quickly as the pain of the past is released. They laugh, reminisce and get caught up. Michael works in IT, and Anna is an established artist in Salt Lake City, where she's a homeowner with her partner Luisa (Kristin Taylor). Over the course of a few days, Anna meets Michael's girlfriend Shonda (Chloe Mason), and his neighbor Gary (Joe Lo Truglio, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"). Gary has Asperger's, plus a few other afflictions, and often pops in for a scoop of Michael's sugar.

Anna is not prepared for Michael's backlash to her decision, and that leads to heartfelt conversation, as well as an initially defensive Luisa when she arrives. It's touching to see how Shonda and Gary react, and to see Michael's emotional evolution. Of course, he doesn't want to lose his beloved sister - the one he's only just reconnected with. We can all relate to his feelings. But as Anna says, it's her decision and she would rather go out on her own terms, than in a cold hospital with tubes sticking out.

This is the directorial debut and first screenplay from Tim True, who shares ties to Oregon with his co-writer Csaba Mera. Of course this is a tough and controversial topic. We witness Anna's labored breathing and the other effects of late stage cancer, and the heaviness is offset a bit thanks to Gary's t-shirts and coffee mugs. An alternative title to the film could be 'the long goodbye', but Anna's farewell is handled very well by the actors and filmmakers. Anna recites a poem (from Mary Lee Hall) with the line, "Turn again to life, and smile", and we realize she's made the decision that's right for her. Perhaps that's all that matters.

Its when you don't have to think, argue or analyse them.

Its when you don't think in actors, acting, reflection etc.

Its like a book you can indulge in.

A good story, book or film, should invite you to become part of it. It shouldn't make you think about actors you recognize from other films. A film fails if an actor or actress makes you think about another film. And although it's a personal thing and therefore for everyone different, its how you feel the story and are able to become part of it. As a listener, viewer and yeah, for some even identifying yourself with characters.

So don't get upset by reviewers, professional or not, but just enjoy this film as a book. The kind of which you actually don't want to read the last page. Only because the story will be over and done with.

That should explain my 10/10.. 🙂

Well you have your obligatory woke: every single relationship is same sex or interracial because we know that's how the real world is (sarcasm). As far as the movie itself, it is really low budget, with not much going on. The acting isn't great. I mean if absolutely nothing else is on, it won't kill you to watch it.

I do feel bad for being so harsh to an indie film, but it really has an emptiness to it. Not because of the depressing nature of the film but of the makeup of the film, because it ends and I wonder why this movie exists. I question if the creatives had real motivation behind it. For me, the only reason I watched it was because I knew someone that was in it.

Joe Lo Truglio was definitely the best part. The whole cancer thing just feels conjured up by writers, which it was, but if you do it right you feel more than just pity for the main character.

When I went to watch this film, I truly didn't know what to expect. This movie completely took me by surprise and beyond just making me cry, it made me feel deeply for Anna and all the people stuck in her position and the families involved. I was thinking about this film for a long time afterward. Stunning performance by Anna Camp, who I only really associated with bright comedy before watching this. Joe Lo Truglio's character Gary will make you feel in ways you don't expect and Steven Strait's vulnerability as Anna's brother Michael is noteworthy. This film really sheds light on how death with dignity is an important decision for some people, and it really should be an available option in more places.