Toni Collette and Drew Barrymore star as best friends going through their most testing of moments for their friendship, in “Miss You Already. The movie centers around Milly (Collette) and Jess (Barrymore), two lifelong friends as they navigate life’s highs and lows. Inseparable since they were young girls, they cannot remember a time they did not share everything in secrets, clothes, even boyfriends, but nothing prepares them for the day Milly is hit with life altering news, with terminal cancer. Jess is dead set on being there unconditionally for her best friend, until she is presented with news that she thought was impossible; pregnancy. The women are at a crossroads where both of their lives move in different directions. “Miss You Already” is a surefire hit for female audiences who seek a solid tearjerker every now and then. The film has a nice blend of creative comedic situations to cool off the wet eyes in it’s audience.

The movie’s 107 minute run time is plenty to tell the story dedicating enough, but the movie does move rather quickly during the opening 10 minutes, often cutting too quickly for us to soak in the real definition of their blossoming friendship. I think when these moments are presented a little more clearly in film, it can make the result that much stronger when you do reach for the tears. That seems to be the only real problem with Morwenna Banks screenplay, as “Miss You Already” is layered in strong dramatic turns for two solid actresses. Collette has times where the movie makes her seem unlikeable, but it’s in her deteriorating appearance where the movie explains her cloudy thinking without ever having to beat the audience over the head with it. Toni has long since been a shining starlet of transformation in her roles, most notably in her breakout role in TV’s “United States of Tara”, but her role as Milly really tugs at the heartstrings during a second act that is literally unfolding in front of our eyes. The chemistry between Collette and Barrymore goes leaps and bounds above any friendship typically played for manipulative gags and cheap tears in the genre. Drew gives her most meaningful performance in a long time. I saw a lot of the movie through her eyes, as she feels like the most understanding of characters when dealing with the ever changing events in the film. Jess and her on screen husband Jago (Paddy Considine) were responsible for a lot of light hearted humor moments in the film, and I truly felt like the film couldn’t focus on their relationship enough, despite a majority of the film being about Milly’s cancer.

Director Catherine Hardwicke certainly casts an creative touch when it comes to her film. First of all, there is the early 90s alternative rock soundtrack that carries the film’s transitional scenes. The movie really serves as a who’s who of this musical era, as there were many times when I found myself lip synching this well put together list of R.E.M, Moby, and Joan Jett. In addition to it’s catchy tunes, the movie fronts some experimental camera work that goes a long way. Many of the film’s close up moments that serve as a kind of video yearbook reflection on Milly and Jess’s friendship was done using an IPhone. This gave the movie a nice modern look on more than one occasion, and it never felt out of place or used as a cheap gimmick. It’s an artistic merit that goes a long way. The film’s editing does come off as a little choppy at times. I mentioned already the film’s first act because it’s in those scenes where the movie just kind of flies by without taking the time to put in the investment to these characters and their bond. I was also quite shocked that the movie exhuberated great bravery and didn’t try to dodge some of the real surprising moments of the film’s script. When you watch a movie revolving around cancer, there isn’t many ways the story can go, but Hardwicke’s direction, as well as Banks script goes a long way unapologetically in dealing with some of the real cause-and-effects with dealing with such life changing news.

“Miss You Already” is only receiving a limited independent run, so theaters might be on a short list in your hometown. However, if you seek a well made production, with many melancholy moments of tear-jerking somber, this is the film to pick up as soon as it hits DVD shelves. I have a feeling that a film like this will garner the same kind of cult status with women as films like “Fried Green Tomatoes” or “A Walk To Remember”. This film is probably the perfect gap between those two movies, as “Miss You Already” is perfect for any audience, young or old.  Almost an adult version of “The Fault In Our Stars”. The movie is fueled by two beautiful performances by the film’s leading ladies, this film defines just how far we would go for that one person in our lives who has seen us at our best and our worst of moments.

7/10