Now is Good (Movie)

Now is Good

Now is Good, directed by Ol Parker. Sony Pictures, 2013, 103 minutes. Rated PG:13 ASIN: B009W21N7G

Summary

Based on the book, “Before I Die” by Jenny Downham, “Now is Good” is about seventeen year old Tessa Scott and her last days.   She’s had leukemia for four years and with the support of her parents, has decided to end her chemotherapy treatments. This decision only gives her a few short months to live which is something that her family is unwilling to talk about. Her best friend, Zoey, is supportive of her, but also talks about Tessa’s illness with other people.

Tessa decides to make a list of everything she wants to do before she dies.  Most of the things on the list are illegal or something that would make her dad upset with her: try drugs, get a tattoo,  live dangerously.  Mostly, Tessa wants to lose her virginity and fall in love—something that she attempts several times before she meets Adam, her next door neighbor. Adam is sweet and has been taking care of his diabetic mother for years, which makes him empathetic toward Tessa’s illness.  While their first encounter is an embarrassing one—Tessa ends up fainting from exhaustion—the two of them grow closer as Tessa lives out her last days.

Critical Evaluation

Dakota Fanning is a stand out in her role as Tessa, and gives an emotionally powerful performance.   It’s clear to see her emotional growth from a lackluster, angry teen, to a young woman who has found love and happiness, albeit temporary. Jeremy Irvine, who plays Adam, plays his part well as the sweet, protective love interest.  The other supporting actors are all strong as well, and the acting never gets too cheesy or melodramatic, despite the emotional nature of the film.

The mature themes in the movie—Tessa’s quest to lose her virginity, wanting to try drugs, and dying of leukemia—would make the movie best for older teens. “Now is Good” is an emotional and powerful film about what it means to truly live.  While there are emotional moments, the movie is also realistic with Tessa’s illness.  There is no promise of a happy ending or miraculous recovery, but the bittersweet journey is worth watching.

Reader’s Annotation

Falling in love, getting a tattoo and living her life as full as possible: these are the things Tessa wants to do before she dies.

About the Director

“British-born Oliver Parker grew up in London and began his acting career in the theatre.

After years of acting and directing on stage, work in television and also as a stand-up comic, Parker decided to give film making a try. In 1994, he wrote and directed his first short film entitled Unsigned, which he presented at the London Film Festival.

After directing two more short films, Parker took a chance and tackled his first feature film project.

Drawing from his stage experience, he decided to adapt the Shakespearian play, Othello to the screen. Starring Laurence Fishburne, Irene Jacob and Kenneth Branagh, Othello (1995) received positive reviews from the critics, but failed to garner much interest from the general public.

Parker followed up his full-length feature debut with two more play adaptations. This time he chose Oscar Wilde's work, An Ideal Husband (1999) - which again received rave reviews from film critics - and The Importance of Being Earnest (2002).

Not only an accomplished screenwriter and director, Parker has also spent sometime in front of the camera guest starring in television series like Matlock and playing small roles in films like Hellraiser (1987), Nuns on the Run (1990) and An Ideal Husband (1999)”

(Ol Park biography. Retrieved September 16^th, 2014 from http://www.tribute.ca/people/ol-parker/3223/)

Genres

Movies

Romance

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

N/A

Reading Level/Interest Age

16+

Grades 9+

Challenge Issues

Alcohol and drug-related scenes

Language

Sexual situations

Defense File

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PPLD’s Challenge Materials Policy: http://ppld.org/challenged-materials-policy

PPLD’s Collection Development Policy: http://ppld.org/collection-development-policy

Why Included?

I included this movie after it was recommended to me by a patron.  The strong acting and emotional themes made this movie a must for my collection.