Me and Earl and the Dying Girl parents guide

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl Parent Guide

Cancer is a serious subject for most teens. For many of these adolescents, it's heavy slogging. And sometimes it feels that way for the audience as well. Still, this story has some positive messages.

Overall C+

Lots of kids in their last year of high school have questions about the future, but Greg Gains (Thomas Mann) is particularly perplexed after spending time with a classmate (Olivia Cooke) who has been diagnosed with cancer.

Release date June 26, 2015

Violence B
Sexual Content C+
Profanity D+
Substance Use C-

Why is Me and Earl and the Dying Girl rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Me and Earl and the Dying Girl PG-13 for sexual content, drug material, language and some thematic elements.

Run Time: 104 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

Admittedly high school can be a difficult experience for many kids. Greg Gains (Thomas Mann) is no different. But he has taken the approach of avoiding strong affiliations with any particular group while being an unofficial member of all. Laying low means he doesn’t have any real friends, but he doesn’t have any real enemies either.

That begins to change when his mother (Connie Britton) informs him that a classmate has cancer. Greg doesn’t know Rachel (Olivia Cooke) well, but that doesn’t stop his mother from forcing him to go visit her. Rachel’s mom (Molly Shannon), armed with a glass of alcohol, welcomes Greg with a smothering of kisses on his cheek and a warm embrace—too warm for Greg’s comfort. But Rachel is much cooler. She doesn’t want a pity visit. However, she finally invites him into her room after he pleads for mercy.

Outside of school, Greg and his coworker Earl (RJ Cyler) make parodies of classic films. As kids, Greg and Earl were introduced to old movies by Greg’s dad (Nick Offerman), a tenured university professor who spends most of his time whipping up weird food concoctions while wearing pajamas and a housecoat. Since then the boys have made their own versions of dozens of them. Finally they agree to let Rachel watch some of their creations as a sort of humor therapy.

Thus begins Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, a quirky flick about movie making, friendship and cancer.

Cancer is a serious subject for most teens. And during the slow unfolding of this story, Greg, Earl and other students are compelled to explore their feelings about the disease. Rachel also has to come to grips with her diagnosis as she fights her way through chemotherapy. For many of these adolescents, it is heavy slogging. And sometimes it feels that way for the audience as well.

The film contains frequent references to sexual activity and anatomy, along with depictions of smoking and alcohol use. (Rachel’s mother appears to be nursing her way through her daughter’s illness with the help of a good stiff drink.) Greg and Earl also mistakenly consume marijuana and suffer the hallucinogenic side effects of the drug. As well, the script is peppered with profanities and at least a couple uses of a strong sexual expletive and crude hand gesture.

Unfortunately that content will dissuade many family viewers from seeing this movie—and rightly so. However, this story does have some positive messages. Like it or not, Greg’s hands-off approach to life doesn’t work. It isn’t until he commits himself to becoming a friend that he really engages with the world. And while it isn’t always easy to stick by Rachel’s side during her difficult ordeal, Greg learns to value his friendships with Earl and the dying girl.

Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon. Starring Connie Britton, Nick Offerman, Jon Bernthal . Running time: 104 minutes. Theatrical release June 26, 2015. Updated

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Rating & Content Info

Why is Me and Earl and the Dying Girl rated PG-13? Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for sexual content, drug material, language and some thematic elements.

Violence: Two boys scuffle in a school cafeteria. One boy is knocked down and repeatedly punched. A boy punches another character in the stomach. Characters depict a fight using clay figurines. Parents argue.

Sexual Content: A character looks at porn on his computer. A woman kisses her daughter’s male friend repeatedly on the cheek. Characters talk about masturbation and female anatomy on several occasions. Several other characters talk about sexual acts and make sexual references.

Language: The script includes the infrequent use of the sexual expletive in a non-sexual context, the frequent use of profanities, moderate and mild curses. Some ethnic and sexual slurs are also heard.

Alcohol / Drug Use:A woman frequently drinks to deal with family stress and appears to be drunk on at least one occasion. She later gives alcohol to teen boys. Other characters are shown with alcohol. Characters mistakenly consume marijuana and experience the effects of the illegal drug. There are other references to illegal drug use as well. Characters, including a teen, are shown smoking on several occasions.

From the Studio:
In ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL, Thomas Mann plays Greg Gaines, an awkward high school senior whose mom forces him to spend time with Rachel - a girl in his class (Olivia Cooke) whom he hasn’t spoken to since kindergarten - who was just diagnosed with cancer. © Fox Searchlight

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Me and Earl and the Dying Girl Parents' Guide

Note: Me & Earl & the Dying Girl opens in limited theaters on June 12, 2015

Talk about the movie with your family…

What impact does Rachel’s cancer diagnosis have on her mother? In addition to the physical challenges of treatment, what emotional challenges does Rachel experience? How do families deal with stress in this story? What coping mechanisms might your family use during difficult times?

Like many other teen films, this one features dysfunctional or quirky characters. Why are these “types” becoming more popular in movies? Are they easier to relate to? Some of them are even portrayed as the heroes of the story. How do they approach this role? How successful do you think they are in playing this part?

Although Greg is initially forced by his mother to visit Rachel, he eventually continues to come because of their growing friendship. How important is it to offer support to a cancer patient and his or her family? What are the best ways to offer help? The American Cancer Society lists numerous ways a person assist and champion a friend with cancer.

Why is Greg so intent on being unseen in high school? How does Rachel’s illness force him to take a stand?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl movie is October 6, 2015. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: Me & Earl & The Dying Girl
Release Date: 6 October 201
Me & Earl & The Dying Girl releases to home video (Blu-ray/Digital Copy) with the following extras:
- Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
- This is Where You Learn How The Movie Was Made
- Abstract: Movie for Rachel
- A Conversation with Martin Scorsese and Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
- Greg Gaines and Earl Jackson Productions (Shorts Montage)
- Audio Commentary by Director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
- Greg's Trailer, Gallery
- And more!

Related home video titles:

Two high school students with cancer form a lasting bond in the movie The Fault in Our Strs. And a terminal diagnosis helps create an unlikely friendship between football teammates in Brian’s Song.

Related news about Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Best of 2015 - Critics Choice Movie Awards

Best of 2015 - Critics Choice Movie Awards

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