Now Is Good (2012)

A teenage girl dying of leukemia compiles a list of things she would like to do before passing away. Topping the list is her desire to lose her virginity.

Director:

Ol Parker

Writers:

Jenny Downham (based on the book "Before I Die" by), Ol Parker

Stars:

Dakota Fanning, Josef Altin, Jeremy Irvine

4 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dakota Fanning	...	Tessa Scott
Jeremy Irvine	...	Adam
Paddy Considine	...	Father
Olivia Williams	...	Mother
Kaya Scodelario	...	Zoey
Edgar Canham	...	Cal
Joe Cole	...	Scott
Julia Ford	...	Sally
Julian Wadham	...	Dr. Ryan
Josef Altin	...	Jake
Rakie Ayola	...	Phillippa
Tom Kane	...	Paul
Franz Drameh	...	Tommy
Simon Wilson	...	Suit
Susan Brown	...	Shirley

Storyline

Tessa is seventeen and passionate about life. Diagnosed with a terminal illness, she determines to use every moment, compiling a catalogue of what a normal teenager would experience, including losing her virginity and taking drugs, With the help of her best friend, Zoey, she sets the list into motion. And while her parents and brother each deals with their fear of losing her in their own way, Tessa explores a whole new world, determined to live every day as intensely as possible. Falling in love with her new neighbor, Adam, wasn't on the list, but this proves to be the most exhilarating experience of them all.

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Plot Keywords:

terminal cancer | dying of cancer | bare chested male | barefoot male | dying | 

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Taglines:

Live every moment, love every minute

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material involving illness, sexuality, and drugs, and for brief strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The character of Tessa has brown hair in the source novel. Olivia Williams, who plays Tessa's mother, wore a blonde wig so that Dakota Fanning could stay blonde for the role.

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Goofs

In the indoor skydiving scene the last shot is mirrored: the gap in Tessa's teeth is suddenly on her right side and the texts on her helmet and suit are reversed.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Tessa Scott: Moments. This is one. This right here, right now, is definitely a moment.
Zoey: Tessa?
Tessa Scott: Anything could happen next.

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Connections

Featured in Projector: Now Is Good (2012)

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Soundtracks

Ceiling of Plankton
Written by Guarisco, Lamson, Campbell, and Leblanc
Performed by Givers
Published by Universal/MCA Music Ltd.
Courtesy of Universal-Island Records Ltd.
Under license from Universal Music Operations Ltd.

User Reviews

Artistic, tasteful and honest

The premise is a bit of a drag but it's a drama, and a really good one at that. The film is emotional, moving and funny. It's an amazing experience, you get into Tessa's mind and you understand the character. She's sweet strong and clearly has grown with all that's happen to her but she's still a teenager with her fears and her aspirations. She sort of wants her life back and experience things like any regular teenager.

The cast is amazing, they make sense, it's a great ensemble. Paddy Considine is so good in this movie, such a great dad and I love the fact that the dad is the one facing things head on, not running away, denying or escaping the hardship. Olivia Williams is perfect as the flawed mother. Edgar Canham is so sweet and brilliant I love how they wrote it and how he played it.

Jeremy Irvine is not just the pretty boy next door and played Adam with an innocence that was perfect for the role. Kaya Scodelario is also a gem in the movie and she might be playing another flawed teenager but her relationship with Tessa (Dakota Fanning) is very much how I would expect a real friend to be when her best friend is dealing with cancer.

The movie feel very artistic, truthful and honest. The Family and friends are very real which gives the film a raw aspect even though it is made with taste and humor. Now is Good shows a different side of young people, the film is intelligent, inspirational and is not just about falling in love with someone and having sex with them. I think the movie does cancer justice, it's not sugar coating things or getting horribly pitiful.

The film is wrapped with humor but hits the emotional notes. You'll probably be touched watching and it'll stay with you. The cast brought weight and humor to the film. It was one of the best movie I've seen in 2012 I am so glad I saw it. I would highly recommend the film.

@wornoutspines

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK France USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 2012 (UK)

Also Known As:

Now Is Good

Filming Locations:

Brighton, East Sussex, England, UK

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,273,746

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), BBC Films, British Film Institute (BFI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1