Now is good - DVD

Content: Pimples, school stress, heartbreak - these are all normal teenage problems that 16-year-old Tessa (Dakota Fanning) can only dream about. How she would like to deal with such worries. But Tessa's problems are much worse. For the girl has leukemia and the doctors give her only a few months to live. A far too short time, which Tessa doesn't want to spend in hospital. She decides against the treatment, which would prolong her life a little, but not really make it more bearable. Instead, she is determined to live as intensely as possible in the short time she has left. Having sex, taking drugs, being really famous for once, doing forbidden things, Tessa wants to experience all that before she dies. Only one thing is not on her list: to fall in love. But of all things, that happens when she meets the handsome boy next door, Adam (Jeremy Irvine)...

Now is good, the film adaptation of Jenny Downham's bestseller Before I Die, is a sensitive and very powerful drama that on the one hand tells a tender coming-of-age story, but on the other hand also deals with heavy themes like death and letting go of a loved one. Director Ol Parker, who most recently wrote the screenplay for the hit Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, skillfully avoids overly cheesy or overly sentimental moments. Instead, especially at the beginning, he allows the audience to feel the bitterness and anger of the young girl, who is confronted with death before she has actually been allowed to live properly. She desperately wants to live against her illness, even if the consequence is that she hurts her father (Paddy Considine).

Both the father-daughter relationship and the budding romance between Tessa and Adam are drawn by Parker in a touching way that is beautiful in its sad way. The fact that he never falls into typical clichés, which the cover might make you fear, is really a credit to his production. Indeed, the film is not only aimed at a more youthful target audience, who might also enjoy some more challenging fare, but also at adult viewers who appreciate moving dramas.

Dakota Fanning delivers a very convincing and powerful performance as a dying teenager, who refrains from overacting in the crucial moments and rather excels in restraint. But also Paddy Considine, Jeremy Irvine (companions) and Kaya Scodelario as Tessa's best friend Zoe deliver very good and for the story coherent performances.

While the film is not entirely free of minor lengths and other weaknesses. For example, the character of Tessa's completely overwhelmed and barely present in her life mother (Olivia Williams) is a bit too much of a good thing. Here, a little less drama would certainly have been more. But apart from such minimal weaknesses Now is good is really a very good film, which already after a few minutes pushes a thick lump in the throat and tears are very difficult to avoid. Therefore, when watching definitely have tissues ready - especially more sensitive souls will need them guaranteed. Absolutely worth seeing!

Picture + Sound: Since only a data-reduced press sample was available for testing, no rating can be given here about the final picture and sound quality.

Extras: Also the bonus material could not be sighted on the press DVD. Announced are interviews, Deleted Scenes and B-Roll recordings.

Conclusion:Now is good is a very moving, great acted drama, which deals with topics like death, first love or growing up in a sensitive, but refreshingly kitsch-free way. A few short lenghts can be easily forgiven because of the really touching production. Who appreciates high-quality coming-of-age dramas, should not miss this film - but definitely have a large pack of tissues within reach, because tears are very difficult to hold back here. Recommended

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp