My Life Without Me Review

My Life Without Me
Young wife and mother Ann discovers she's terminally ill, but decides not to tell anyone. She hopes to find a new mother for her children and spend her spare time experiencing new things, like extra-marital sex.

by Anna Smith |
Published on
Release Date:

07 Nov 2003

Running Time:

106 minutes

Certificate:

15

Original Title:

My Life Without Me

Pedro and Agustin Almodovar exec-produced this weepie, but you wouldn't necessarily know it. On paper it's quite the TV melodrama: young wife and mother Ann (Polley) discovers she's terminally ill, but decides not to tell anyone. She hopes to find a new mother for her children and spend her spare time experiencing new things, like sex with Mark Ruffalo.

It's beautifully filmed, Polley's performance is compelling and there are flashes of humour from quirky supporting characters. But Ann's actions rarely ring true. Would she really tell no-one? Would she really cheat on the husband she loves so much? And despite some haunting scenes, there are several that outstay their welcome in an attempt to wring the last tear from the eye.

Many will love this because it forces them to cry; others may resent it for the same reason.

The swiftness with which she comes to terms with her illness and cheats on her husband doesnít carry, and despite the indie presentation, much of it is disease-of-the-week stuff with glib sentiments.

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