O Professor

This film tells the story of a professor who learns that he has only months to live.

To be honest, Johnny Depp has not been in a good film for ten years. I have no expectations, and hence I am pleasantly surprised by how good this film is. The story is touching, inspirational and sends a message without being preachy. It just touches you, thereby making you feel and agree with its message. Johnny Depp's character is likable, and makes you empathise with him. I am glad that I watched this film.

Johnny Depp is the best thing about this melo-drama. I would not call it a comedy, nor a drama. The script is ok but the story seems a bit blah. Good premise but could have been so much better. However, Johnny Depp shines. Can't help but fall in love with his character.

Be yourself. Be true to yourself. Don't settle for what you are not. Quotes from this movie resonated with me. My mind has been wandering on lines like: "Why do we float through this weird thing called life without living?". Live life and don't simply exist. Like the Professor says: "You got one shot at this. Don't let a moment of it slip by." A genuine performance by Johnny Depp and the whole cast. I enjoyed the writing. With the emphasis on observations and the thoughts of the mundane, relationships and the honesty of people. It also includes the best acting I've seen from Danny Huston. I full heartedly bought his friendship with Depp's character. The story starts with a slightly quirkier tone, but gets more and more real as you get to the second half. Depp plays the broken man and you can see that pain and regret in his eyes. A very human story that eventually tugged at my heartstrings. Some scenes could have been handled differently during the first half. But the deep thoughts and confessions presented later was able to bring it all home. I do feel better for having been on this little journey of a man and his emotional bender. It's very unfiltered, so it's definitely not for too young minds. You gotta be somewhat ready the face hardships of existence. While not perfect, the director and the whole crew still made one thing very clear: That this one was from the heart.

I don't know if this was a brilliantly emotional film or whether it just hit me hard but I loved the monologues from Johnny Depps character Richard, who realises how precious time is once he is given just months to live after a positive cancer diagnosis. It really does a good job of making you connect with the character and although not done quite as well, it definitely gives off Dead Poet Society vibes with Richards unorthodox teaching methods and how he connects and interacts with his students.

As a lucky cancer survivor I found the sentiment beautiful. In fact articulate. This film hit so many nerves. It reawakened the feelings that I ah during treatment and made me realise that I have since taken my life for granted.

Obviously I will not be able to act in the same manner as the lead but Christ I wish I could.

Judge it. Criticise it. Hate it. But know this, this movie conveys a feeling and a mindset that is very real. Sadly many will feel this at a later date. For those of us who have been there and walk on, watch, cry, laugh, enjoy and let your heart warm.