My Happy Ending

Greetings again from the darkness. When it comes to death, everyone hopes to go out on their own terms. Perhaps that's at an advanced age surrounded by family. Or maybe it's before the loss of physical or mental capacities. And then there are those who just want to pass quietly while sleeping. Whatever terms one might envision, the odds are we will have little say in when, where, or how. Co-directors Tal Granit and Sharon Maymon previously collaborated on THE FAREWELL PARTY (2014), and here they are working on Rona Tamir's adaptation of the stage play by Anat Gov.

Andie MacDowell stars as Julia Roth, a once famous actress who is attempting to receive medical treatment while remaining incognito. Arriving for her first chemotherapy session, she admits to not having told friends, family, or even her loyal assistant Nancy (Tamsen Grieg). The three women currently receiving chemo all recognize Julia, but it becomes clear that no one being treated for cancer cares much about spotting a celebrity. It's interesting to watch as Julia is brought down a notch or two from her arrogance as she realizes two things: these folks aren't impressed, and her own cancer is much more advanced than she originally thought.

This little chemo support group provides the heart of the film. Screen veteran Miriam Margolyes plays Judy, a retired teacher and lifelong single. Sally Phillips plays Mikey, a former rocker and the most optimistic of the group. Rakhee Thakrar plays Imaan, a young Muslim mother hoping to be cured so she can watch her kids grow up. They are all being treated by Tom Cullen, who they've nicknamed, "Dr Handsome". Julia's motivation is the upcoming wedding of her daughter, and the mood shifts quickly when Nancy shows up to "take care of this" for her boss.

There are times in life when we must be open to the help and guidance of others. Julia is a bit slow on the uptake, but soon enough, figures out that listening to those who have been going through what she's about to go through provides the insight she needs to make up her own mind ... finding a way of doing things on her own terms. Given the subject matter, the film from Granit and Maymon offers a good dose of humor, and it's also effective in reminding us that taking a "vision trip" can be the holiday that leads to clarity and making decisions that work best for ourselves.

Opens in theaters on February 24, 2023.

The once famous actress Julia Roth checks into a UK hospital with stage 4 cancer, unable to get a private room, she encounters three women in a similar situation, very different people, united by cancer.

The lack of reviews and seriously low score don't make sense to me, it's a movie that may not be for everyone, but if you know what to expect, it's quite a powerful movie.

The highlight, the acting, there are genuinely some wonderful acting performances in this film, it works so well because of that, the star quality of Andie MacDowell in particular, she's wonderful, and as dazzling as ever.

I'd hoped for a few more laughs, there are a couple, but they're few and far between.

It's very moving, the kind of film that will make you tear up, essentially it shows how different people deal with cancer, clearly there's no right or wrong way.

Well acted, powerful, moving, it's a deep watch, arguably it could have been a little more amusing, but I enjoyed it.

7/10.

My Happy Ending is a film that tries to be a heartwarming and humorous story about four women who bond over their cancer treatments in a hospital. Julia (Andie MacDowell) is a famous actress who is diagnosed with breast cancer and has to deal with her fading career and cheating husband. Judy (Miriam Margolyes) is an elderly Jewish woman who has terminal lung cancer and wants to make peace with her estranged son. Mikey (Sally Phillips) is a rebellious punk rocker who has ovarian cancer and refuses to give up her lifestyle. Imaan (Rakhee Thakrar) is a young Muslim woman who has leukemia and struggles with her conservative family.

The film, directed by Tal Granit and Sharon Maymon, based on a play by Anat Gov, fails to deliver on its premise. The film is full of stereotypes, contrivances, and melodrama, without any subtlety or nuance. The film also lacks any real humor or emotion, relying on cheap jokes and sentimental music. The film does not explore the complex issues of cancer, mortality, identity, or friendship in any meaningful way.

The film's only redeeming quality is the cast, who try their best to bring some life to their characters. MacDowell, Margolyes, Phillips, and Thakrar have some chemistry and charisma on screen, but they are wasted by the poor script and direction. The supporting actors are also underused or miscast.

My Happy Ending is a film that should have been better than it was. It is a film that squanders its potential and its talent.

Fist off, I have leukemia and so many things in this movie really hit home. Andie MacDowell nailed the part as did the rest of the cast im my opinion. I have seem so many new patients going through the same things. When you get the diagnosis, it's like your brain can't cope with the flood of information for the first little while. AND people rush to give you THEIR opinion on what you should do. Plenty told me not to stop treatment, but quality of life is the issue and one thing I learned is that cancer can rob you of who you are unless you fight to be the person you have always been despite all the pressures of the disease et al. This is an important movie and from my experience, very real.

I appreciate the fact that they didn't convolute a serious subject matter like stage 4 cancer with unrealistic, fantastical wishful thinking & gave one of the most unfathomable & perhaps unpopular choices one can make for their own life a reality check rather than presenting a serious aspect like ("Life & Death) to be portrayed as it is with all its tragic and traumatic ramifications!

Not recommendable for those seeking a happy ending, though making a choice to end one's life while enjoying it to the fullest, even if that choice is in contrast with general societal norms, is a view point that should be appreciated for the truthfulness it entails !

Good writing, good acting and altogether a good sad movie about life!