The Greatest Showman #756 - Fresh Comedy

"It's not another 'My Left Foot,' it's more like another 'The Intouchables.'"

Roger Ebert, Pulitzer-winning film critic

"The Intouchables" is a French film released earlier this year, which unexpectedly became the box office champion of French cinema, surpassing the 13-year record of Titanic. It received widespread acclaim from French critics, stormed into the U.S. awards season, and emerged as a strong contender for Best Foreign Language Film. After the early morning uproar and the fluctuating news reports, Roger, as a film critic, carefully distanced himself from external influences and focused solely on the work itself, offering a sincere and objective opinion, which is evident from the title of his review. Roger affirmed Anti-Cancer Me with an analogy to The Intouchables!

"Like some of the recent films about illness, such as Gus Van Sant's Restless and Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano's The Intouchables, Anti-Cancer Me portrays a life-changing experience during a period of turbulence in a comedic manner. Its light-hearted yet emotionally moving narrative captures the reactions of individuals facing life-altering changes in their own unique way.

Could it be as emotionally stirring as My Left Foot? Perhaps not. But it presents a different facet of life and challenges us to reflect on ourselves and our own lives. One thing is certain: the more we learn about cancer, the less we wish to face it."

This is classic Roger Ebert—rather than assessing the quality of the work in isolation, he places it within the broader context of similar films, providing a relatively balanced evaluation.

"For a comedy, Anti-Cancer Me is minimalistic, so small that it centers entirely on the protagonist, Adam Lerner, and tells the story of a single day when Adam is suddenly diagnosed with cancer. The narrative is based on the personal experience of screenwriter Will Rissel, focusing entirely on Adam, without excess ambition or unnecessary complexity. And that's what makes the film so successful.

The film accurately and sensitively portrays Adam's psychological journey, with meticulous attention to plot details and character dynamics. It gradually unravels the impact of cancer on his life, from the superficial to the profound, from the abstract to the concrete, leaving the audience not with an inspirational tale of triumph over illness, but with an authentic reflection on life: everyone is grappling with their own personal struggles.

The five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—are universally recognized psychological stages. But these stages are mere words until you experience them yourself. Only then do you realize how heavy and suffocating each stage feels, as though trapped in a cage with no way out. This is the genius of Will Rissel's screenplay.

Rissel introduces several pivotal characters in Adam's life: the therapist, who follows a structured process but learns the difference between theory and reality; the self-centered girlfriend, who is consumed by her own grief; the overprotective mother, treating Adam's illness like fragile glass, pushing him into a sterile, isolated space; and the carefree friend, who pretends not to care but ultimately struggles with his own deep-seated loss.

Each character embodies a different facet of life and interacts with Adam in a way that underscores the profound impact cancer has on one's world. The film's culmination brings all these influences together, creating a poignant experience that is at once overwhelming and deeply human.

Adam navigates the five stages of grief—denial, bargaining, depression, anger, and acceptance. While the order may not be as psychological models suggest, the emotional turbulence is far more intense than anyone could imagine.

By the end of the film, viewers are left pondering: how should we approach life? This is the overarching theme the film leaves us with.

Returning to the comedy genre, director Jonathan Levine chose a humorous approach to tell the story. With witty dialogue, slapstick humor, and Saturday Night Live-style zingers, the film offers a playful yet insightful exploration of life, giving it a freshness and uniqueness reminiscent of 500 Days of Summer.

This approach not only makes the film enjoyable, but also showcases a solid script, engaging characters, and subtle emotional layers. Rissel's writing is not only authentic but also wonderfully humorous, creating a seamless blend of laughter and poignancy. The movie strikes a rare balance between humor and heart, keeping viewers engaged from start to finish.

A standout feature of the film is Renly Hall's remarkable comedic performance, which highlights his versatility and ability to tackle different genres. This marks Hall's second major performance during awards season, following his impressive turn in Crazy in Love.

Roger Ebert, typically known for his focus on scriptwriting, credits Anti-Cancer Me for its strong narrative and exceptional character development, giving it an 88-point rating and four stars. His respect for the film and the respect he holds for Hall is evident in his review, continuing the admiration he first expressed for the actor in Buried Alive.

Ebert's counterpart, veteran Hollywood Reporter critic Michael Phillips, also lauds Hall's performance, stating, "The cast of Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Anjelica Huston, and Bryce Dallas is undeniably impressive. Rogan and Kendrick shine, but it's Renly Hall who truly anchors the film. Hall's comedic performance is the most memorable since 2011. He infuses his character with delicate, yet powerful, emotions. His performance is simple yet profound, transforming an otherwise familiar story into something unforgettable."

Hall's performance brings a uniquely quirky, bittersweet atmosphere to the film, reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin's style. His ability to convey profound emotional depth through understated gestures and expressions elevates the entire film.

It's hard to believe that Hall, only twenty-two, is delivering such a mature and complex performance. Anti-Cancer Me showcases his ability to bring depth and authenticity to comedy, surpassing even his previous work in Crazy in Love.

In terms of performance quality alone, Anti-Cancer Me might even eclipse Crazy in Love. Hall's portrayal adds layers of nuance and emotional weight to the story, making it one of the best holiday films of the year.

This simple, yet beautifully executed story is not groundbreaking, but it's undeniably a film worth watching this holiday season. Hall's exceptional performance, combined with Will Rissel's solid screenplay, makes Anti-Cancer Me a must-see.