James White (2015)

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

James White (Christopher Abbott) is an aimless young New Yorker who drinks and parties with his best friend Nick. His estranged father had recently passed away. He's been living with and taking care of his sick mother Gail (Cynthia Nixon) for the last few years. James goes on a Mexican vacation with Nick where he hooks up with high schooler Jayne. He's struggling to get a writing job but he's struggling with darker demons. His mother is dying from cancer and hospice care forbids hospitalization.Honestly, the movie starts out slow for me. James isn't likable. He's self-destructive and a douche. As the movie develops, he shows more of his struggles and his inner demons. His manic effort in the hospital is heart-breaking. Abbott delivers a good performance and Nixon does some dying acting. These are intriguing characters and a compelling relationship. The movie does miss a definitive death scene although he does tell her to let go.

"James White" is the story of the New England Patriots' running back struggle to make the team, and insert himself as a 3rd Down specialist. Just kidding! And only die-hard football fans will get that one. "James White" is actually a mediocre somber film about a mother dying from cancer and her party-festive son's struggle to care for her. Writer- Director Josh Mond sure insert some "Mond"ay blues in this film showing the deterioration of a middle-aged woman dying from cancer, and her party-loving son's difficulty dealing with it. The Mond issue here is that there is not much more to this. The film lacked a layered screenplay, and creative direction. However, I must state that the acting was superb! Christopher Abbott dazzled as the title character, and Cynthia Nixon was outstanding as James' dying mother Gail. So I would not subject "James White" to the bench, but I would not exactly touch down with "James White". *** Average

Who is Christopher Abbott and will someone give the boy an Oscar? The acting by Nixon and Abbott are so real it's like being in the room with them.This movie is for anyone who has been in a caregiving position for a loved one, and knows the anger, frustration, pain, depression, anxiety and fear that comes with it. It's for anyone who has been on the receiving end, who has battled cancer or otherwise felt their death to be imminent. It's for anyone who has had friends or relatives described above.FINAlLY - a realistic portrayal of a cancer battle and the struggles of those who love them deepest.But overall, this is about overcoming life's greatest hardship - fear of losing the person you love more than anyone in the world. Oh - and the poor kid has no job, no help and has just lost his Dad, by the way. Yes, let's see how much more someone can take before they crack - although not all will crack. Some will go on and be okay. And nothing can hurt you after that kind of pain.

Christopher Abbott and Cynthia Nixon have found fine homes on HBO screens. Abbott is perhaps mostly known for his role on Girls while Nixon will forever be a Sex in the City girl. Here in James White, they deliver perhaps their finest performances of their careers thus far. The film thrives off the compassion in their relationship and the way it tests James' love for his mother Gail, but unfortunately to the expense of what lies on the sidelines. There's an endearing affection between James and his best friend Nick, but it offers little backstory or arc, simply the type of wishful thinking support considering the situations. The film also lends an entire chapter to James growing close with a girl who becomes his girlfriend, but as soon as the film retreats back home to tend to Gail she's completely tossed aside as another periphery character. That is part of the point though, taking care of her is all consuming and it contrasts the conditions of romantic love with the unconditional family love. Despite little dips into history, the film grew on me as it went on with Abbott impressing at every turn, subverting the brutish James to an empathetic son. Nixon does feel like she's trying too hard at first, but once the film submits to her and she succumbs to the worst of her cancer, she's as good as Abbott. Shot by the same cinematography as Son of Saul, New York is no less of a compelling setting than Auschwitz, focusing on intimacy with the characters, but again it's heart by choppy editing. The jump cuts give it a difficult rhythm to crack. It's limited and intense, and I certainly would've like a little more bittersweet hints at a future to really send the film home, but as an acting showcase James White is a powerhouse.8/10