Simply Perfect

Pretty Good

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Certainly not a great film, but an okay one at best. However, the wig on Julia Roberts is probably one of the worst I've ever seen in a film. And if it's not a wig- yikes!!!! I find it hard to believe not one person (Producer) watched the dailies and didn't think "gotta' deal with that fake hunk of hair on the leading lady."

Hilary O'Neil (Julia Roberts) is bitter after her boyfriend cheated on her. She applies for a personal live-in nursing job but she's dismissed almost immediately. Victor Geddes (Campbell Scott) is a rich young man dying of leukemia. He over-rules his father and hires the sassy girl with the short red dress. As they get closer, they find themselves in a complicated relationship.Julia Roberts is beautiful and sassy. There're a couple of fun early moments. Campbell Scott never convinced me as a romantic lead in this movie. The romantic chemistry doesn't work for me. Director Joel Schumacher has done plenty of good work but I don't think he does well with romantic material. It's a lot of overwrought love in this and it all feels very forced.

This was a positive surprise! I expected something much more naive, romantic, and over-sentimental, but it was quite realistic - but still fine and moving. I have had someone dying from me from cancer not long ago - not a lover but a very good friend - so I recognize much in the movie. My friend also came to a point, when she did no longer feel the awful side-effects of the chemo worthwhile - but instead wanted her hair back, and to live as normally as possible and only take pain relief until the end. An end which would have been inevitable anyway. The actors are all first-class, and there are also many beautiful exteriors and interiors, party scenes, nature scenery etc.. The only thing I disliked a little, was the "My Fair Lady"-concept. I mean: the rich and well-educated man, who teaches the simple but brazen working- class girl about art-history etc. - while she teaches him about life. And then, of course, they fall in love. That felt dated, and also for 1991 - it would have been more expected in a movie from 1941...But all in all, I find the movie well-worth watching!

I'd always wanted to see Dying Young - with its catchy title.Enjoyed the movie; it's certainly a concept movie; leukaemia patient finds love with his nurse. The production values were absolutely superb as were the interiors and the costumes.Julia Roberts was great, as was Campbell Scott, and a hint of menace from Vincent D'onofrio.Enjoyed the wide open vistas of California and the gorgeous towns and building built along the coast The soundtrack was good with a mix of popular and orchestral.Thoroughly recommend this film as a good all round concept movie which should please most people in the family.