Death of a Superhero

As you follow the last weeks of a teenager who escapes in his drawing skills, we get to experience parts of what it feels like trying to outrace Death, while having a last good moments with family and friends... and maybe have a go at this thing called Love if we can spare a heartbeat or two.

"Life is a sexually transmitted disease, transmitted by those who have sex and in the end it kills you" What a beautiful film, what a sad film, with this title there is no point in waiting for better days, we are already sure of the end, but it still makes us suffer and brings painful tears from us and a heavy heart, what a cursed disease, what a funeral poem in the form of a film, perfect soundtrack, masterful performance by little Thomas... The only absolute fact of existence, death is the only certainty of life...

Donald is a teenager with a fertile imagination and an extraordinary talent for drawing. At 15 years old, with a terminal illness, he fights against time, as he wants to have other experiences in life. Surrounded by the attention of his parents and friends, he finds Shelley, who gives him a delicate and sensual affection, and Adrian, a very special therapist who helps to balance his emotions. To deal with reality and confront his destiny, Donald draws stories that gain movement, such as that of a superhero who fights a powerful enemy who wants to destroy him.

I don't (and didn't) know a person with cancer, but I think, there is something true in this story. We all can be aggressive and cruel, but we can't be so offended at life. Healthy people will never understand the one with cancer, but we can try. And we must. Because the human beings can't be alone. We need to be surrounded by warmth and care, physically and mentally.

This film is not only about an incurable disease, it's about relationship. Real, difficult, "in the raw" relationship between parents and the kid, brothers, a boy and a girl, and just between people with difficult life situations.

This film is about hard, painful, distressing acceptance that not every problem can be fixed, but it's not the reason to give up.

Andy Serkis, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Michael McElhatton as the other actors make me believe the story, and film crew makes me live in this drama for 93 minutes. Thank you a lot.

Donald (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) is dying of cancer. He's angry and distancing himself from his parents. He draws comic book art and sees his world through his drawings. He is sent to shrink #6 Dr. Adrian King (Andy Serkis). He also falls for rebellious classmate Shelly (Aisling Loftus). She insists on using O'Reilly after her step-father Fitzgerald left.

The kid is good in the role. He's got an interesting face and was also memorable in 'Game of Thrones'. This is a pretty standard sick kid role. Andy Serkis shows that he's more than a motion capture actor although I wish he gets rid of those sweaters. It's too obvious. Donald's friends need to be fleshed out more. They are all non-descript idiots without any distinguishing qualities. It may be useful to have only one best friend played by a good young comic. Aisling Loftus is great as the dream girl. The problem is that the movie moves away from her too much. Their relationship has some of the best moments of the movie. I especially like the scene where he lets her down.

Rang true to teenage life in Ireland. Impressive acting. Walks the line between touching and funny.