Madhouse Family Reviews: Now Is Good DVD review

Wednesday, 23 January 2013

Now Is Good DVD review

I had a bit of a shock when I saw the cover of Now Is Good, the latest DVD that Warner Brothers sent through for us to review and I suddenly felt very old ! The last time I saw Dakota Fanning, she was in War of The Worlds and was a little girl - I just checked and that was back in 2005, time flies ! - so seeing her as a very grown-up 18-year-old made me do a double take, especially when part of the film revolves around her wanting to lose her virginity !

Now Is Good is a bit of a tear-jerker so make sure you have a packet of tissues handy alongside the popcorn ! Tessa, the main character played by Dakota, is just entering womanhood when she is diagnosed with a terminal illness. While many would plunge into depression, Tessa's passion for life means that she determines to use every single moment that she still has left, compiling a catalogue of what a normal teenager would experience, including losing her virginity and taking drugs. There's a life-lesson in there for us all - not the taking drugs part but the making every second count mentality.

New neighbour Adam - the ultimate boy-next-door - provides the love story that will keep fans of rom-coms happy but the film also has a much more poignant side, showing Tessa's family trying to deal with their grief too.

It's not a hugely original storyline but Dakota puts in a really solid performance and it reminds me a bit of an updated version of classic 70's weepie Love Story, albeit with a slightly younger teenie target audience.

If you want a film that will tug at your heart strings and remind you to count your blessings and live life to the max, you'll love it.

star rating : 4/5

RRP : £12