Other People
By S. Jhoanna Robledo,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Heartbreaking, intense drama examines toll of cancer.
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What's the Story?
In OTHER PEOPLE, David (Jesse Plemons) is working as a writer in New York City -- far from his Sacramento hometown. But when his mother, Joanne (Molly Shannon), is diagnosed with cancer, David finds himself back home, juggling a lot of complicated feelings. He's ambivalent toward his loving-but-reserved father, Norman (Bradley Whitford), who still won't accept David's homosexuality or his relationship with his boyfriend. His afraid to lose his mother. He's battling isolation -- missing NYC while back in the hometown he was so eager to leave. And he's having a crisis about his professional life, which is in a rut. And above all, David is heartbroken watching his mother deteriorate, even as Joanne struggles to retain control over her body, her spirit, and her life.
Is It Any Good?
This drama is a heartbreaking examination of the toll that cancer can take, especially when it's a parent who's diagnosed with the disease and her child is struggling to come to terms with it. Plemons brings the audience right into the eye of the storm with his finely tuned performance; it's tinged with real grief and deep empathy. But this is truly Shannon's movie: Joanne feels like a real person -- inspiring, affecting, tragic, funny, defiant, and angry, all in one. And the secondary story about David's relationship with his father is handled with equal sensitivity and complexity.
David's sisters are written with less complexity, though Madisen Beaty and Maude Apatow still turn in strong performances. In the end, Other People isn't really about other people; the film feels universal, with lessons for both those who've unfortunately walked the cancer journey and those who haven't.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what the characters go through in Other People. How does cancer affect every member of a family? Do the experiences depicted in the movie feel realistic? Why or why not?
Talk about the relationship between David and his dad. How does the film balance Norman's homophobia with his love for his son? Why is it important to see characters depicted with complications and layers?
How do the characters demonstrate compassion? Why is that an important character strength?
How are drinking and drug use portrayed? Are they glamorized at all? Why does that matter?
Movie Details
- In theaters: September 9, 2016
- On DVD or streaming: December 9, 2016
- Cast: Jesse Plemons, Bradley Whitford, Zach Woods, Molly Shannon
- Director: Chris Kelly
- Studio: Vertical Entertainment
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters
- Character Strengths: Compassion
- Run time: 97 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 18, 2023
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