At the end of a summer packed with atrocious action flicks, Ol Parker’s Now Is Good is here to ease us into more serious autumn fare. Unfortunately, instead of violent melodrama the film is full of weepy melodrama. Parker is the Michael Bay of over-emoting.
Adapted from Jenny Downham’s award-winning teen novel Before I Die, the roll-call of cringe moments include: a 17-year-old girl with leukemia who has abandoned her treatment, a romantic sunset, a kiss that literally results in fireworks and several songs rejected from Grey’s Anatomy for being too sentimental. Also, there’s a pro-life subplot so manipulative Mitt Romney may well use it in his campaign.
None of this is the fault of the cast, who give a good account of themselves. As ill Tessa, Dakota Fanning brings a lot of attitude. Playing her father, Paddy Considine imbues his thankless, nagging role with subtlety and emotional intelligence.
Despite solid performances and some beautifully romantic cinematography, Now Is Good’s shameless emotional pummelling simply proves too much, however.