Academic-Award winner Hilary Swank is the star of the inspiring and dramatic film “You’re not you” directed by George C. Wolfe. Based on the novel by Michelle Wildgen, a stunning Swank manages to bring to life a classical pianist who is afflicted with a neurodegenerative disorder.
As soon as I saw the trailer, I thought: “This movie is a must-see!”. In only 2 minutes and a half, a young but talented Emmy Rossum (Beautiful Creatures) and a fantastic Hilary Swank (P. S. I Love You) create a passionate match. Emotions are conveyed not only by the characters, but also by the music on the background. Indeed, this helps to balance sadness and happiness. When the trailer is over, I was overwhelmed by a sense of curiosity.
The beginning of the movie is like any other romantic comedy, featuring a married couple who seems to have found the secret of eternal happiness. However, the highlight of this film is the relationship between Kate (Swank) and Bec (Rossum), a young spontaneous college student whose life is a total disaster. When Bec gets the job of assisting Kate, they both discover more about themselves in a way they could have never imagined.
Even if You’re not you might be seen as the remake of the French movie “The Intouchables” (2011), George C. Wolfe dares to try something completely different from his box-office success “The devil wears Prada” (2006). He succeeds in achieving a good mixture of inspiring and humorous bits, always keeping the audience gripped throughout.
I adore how the atmosphere highlights the contrast between the two women’s lives. The director tries to focus his attention on tiny details using both brief shots and close-ups, and not only to describe the characters but also to reveal their emotions. In case of Kate, anger and grief prevails, while rebellion and positivity draw Bec.
Swank’s performance is sublime. She manages to embody every stage of the ALS disease, giving to her character true authenticity. A sign of melancholic sorrow passes through Kate’s face every time that she hears the sound of a piano. On the other side Emmy Rossum is dramatic, funny and truthful. She captures the audience’s attention with her attitude, showing the evolution of her character. By the end of the film she figures out what really matters in her life: doing “something positive, something good” for another human being.
The atmosphere is supported by a fabulous soundtrack. I believe brings out the beauty of a movie. Indeed, You’re not you has all the essential aspects a good film must have and develops them in a simple but powerful way.
In conclusion, I strongly recommend this movie and I suggest bringing along a package of tissues to wipe your tears. The emotions in this piece of filmmaking are truly engaging and I bet you will be crying yourself a river… Just like I did!
Watch the trailer