Mon âme soeur

It's not a bad film. It's definitely watchable and I did get a little teary towards the end, so I wouldn't call it soul-less either. It just doesn't have enough soul and it doesn't have enough originality.

In fact, I've recently come up with a category of films that this would totally fit into. It's called "scripts that could have been written by an AI". A successful AI mind you - one that has been fed every produced script on the same topic, but also one that cannot produce anything genre-defying or ground-breaking.

So here's the recipe it operates on:

• Take the "Love Story" (the 1970 film) premise (as used by a million other films between then and now).

• Add a specific take and tension to the story, as previously done by films like "My Life Without Me" (2003)

• Create good chemistry between two stereotypical protagonists (the "loveable and deceptively sexy nerd" male and the "strong, funny, and beautiful" female)

• Add the sidekicks: the "mischievous, promiscuous, but supportive best mate", the "(much older, quirky, and wisecracking) unlikely friend", the "overbearing but still loving" mother, plus a couple more distinct-enough-but-not-too-memorable-so-as-not-to-overshadow-the-protagonists characters.

• Make the photography and styling Instagrammable

• Add a pleasant soundtrack

• Cast a veteran actor in the old-but-quirky role

• Cast a hunk recognisable from an extremely popular TV series to attract the fandom

• Lightly sprinkle on top with quotable wisdoms about the meaning of life and death

And there you have it. Served lukewarm on Netflix.

I'm not sure I could have fully appreciated the nuances and impact that the story conveyed without having personal experience of family members, and close friends suffering cancer.

Once again Gugu Mbatha-Raw gives us a barnstorming performance, showing a full range of emotions and character flaws. The stages of grief, from bargaining, anger, disbelief, through to expectance beautifully displayed. The whole story arc of trying to control the future for others rang true with my own experiences.

The supporting cast were all on form, especially Christopher Walken & Jacki Weaver, stealing most scenes that they were in with bittersweet irony, and tender emotions.

Ultimately some aspects around the story of the perfect couple together from the age of 8, annoyed me a bit, they just didn't quite seem plausible, but by the end of the film, if you're not bawling your eyes out, you have the emotional range of a teaspoon!

I dare say anyone who has reached middle age has several friends or acquaintances who have suffered and died from long term diseases, and I'm sure that no two peoples attitude to dying would be the same either. There lies the problem with this movie. I can't say I recognise any friends in the characters portrayed, but I'm sure others do. Complaining about a movie for not being real simply because it's not your reality doesn't make the writer or director wrong. The one similarity between all humans is our difference.

3/22/18. While the acting was really good (though overdramatic at times), it was really, really depressing. Not sure if this is even a therapeutic movie to watch for those in Mbatha-Raw's circumstances. I get it that she was trying her best to gain some control over a situation in which she has very little control over, it was really depressing nevertheless.

It was ok but felt it could of been,so much better.

It mainly focused on her finding a replacement,for her-soon to be-husband.. Honestly if he was even that,for the movies duration.

He showed lack of depth for a genies,let alone a guy having the woman he loves dying of cancer.

It had a very instagram edited vibe,with a fantasy feel of her disease.. She lost a chunk of hair,big deal! I lose more than that brushing mine.

It had some decent casting which seem wasted on the overall storyline,as mentioned cinematography felt average & acting blah!

Had a few moments,it touched me & that was in the edited previews.. why I watched it!

Also the sound was horrible,not as clean like the previews.. Rather odd.