Emmy Rossum stars as Bec in You're not you. Picture: Ster-Kinekor.
Reinterpretations of real-life struggles sharing compelling stories often bring people to tears. They resonate with us because deep down we all know it can happen to anyone. What makes these films even more compelling is the level of skill required of an actor in his or her role. Many have proven highly successful – Eddie Redmayne won Best Actor at the Academy Awards for his role as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything – and Hilary Swank is equally commendable in You’re Not You. She plays the role of Kate, a classical pianist diagnosed with ALS. This movie comes just months after the ice-bucket challenge – a campaign raising awareness and money for the debilitating disease – captured the world’s attention on social media.
Looking for someone to care for his wife, Evan (Josh Duhamel) hosts a series of interviews with possible candidates. Kate takes a liking to college student Bec (Emmy Rossum), hiring her despite her lack of experience. The two journey together as they endure life’s daily struggles – some more taxing than others, but all equally important.
The film shares a beautiful story of friendship and its transformative power. It’s a guaranteed tear-jerker which leaves you questioning the true meaning of life and the miniscule, yet crucial, part we play in it all.
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