You're Not You

Early developments in YOU'RE NOT YOU's plot -- i.e., Kate hiring the unqualified Bec, and Bec's rebirth as a compassionate caretaker -- feel forced and unbelievable. But once the writers awkwardly work their way around the transformation of the distant, foul-mouthed, and insensitive Bec into a reliable, emotionally supportive advocate and friend, the movie is beautifully executed and emotionally true.

It's worth noting that in its advocacy for a patient's right to die without the use of invasive procedures, the film ignores the kind of palliative care provided by hospice, which allows patients to avoid mechanical intervention (a ventilator) but offers, for example, morphine to ease the suffering of respiratory failure. Perhaps the filmmakers feared such a choice would have lessened the drama of Kate's death. In any case, the performances here are moving and strong. While the content will, on its face, be understandable to children 10 and above, relationship subtleties may go over their head, and they may find the subjects of disability and inevitable, painful death too difficult to bear.