An Interview with actors RJ Cyler, Thomas Mann, Olivia Cooke and director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
ON CINEMA - June 2015
By Maddy O’Hara, Sophomore, Marin Academy
Although it has not come out to most audiences in theaters, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is already making waves in the film community. Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, this movie won both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival. As reporters, we had the opportunity to see this incredible film and interview the three main actors as well as the director.
Told through the perspective of high school student Greg (portrayed by Thomas Mann), it tells the story of his friendship with Rachel (portrayed by Olivia Cooke), a girl diagnosed with leukemia. Preferring to remain emotionally detached as he lives travels through life in high school, Greg learns the value of true human connection as he grows closer with Rachel. Also along for the ride in this coming of age story is Earl (portrayed by RJ Cyler), Greg’s hilarious “coworker” who works with Greg to remake classic movies into crazy parodies. The two begin to work on a film dedicated to Rachel and along the way learn a lot about life, loss and love.
Although this story might sound reminiscent of The Fault in Our Stars, it could not be more different. It is not an overdone, melodramatic love story; it’s a story about growing up and maturing your worldview; it’s much more than a story about a girl with cancer. It’s comedic with moments that are sure to make the viewer cry and it’s always brutally honest.