If you’re having one of those days when you need a good cry, look no further than the film that IMDB ranked among the saddest films ever made. Critics say the 2003 drama, which follows a 23-year-old mother of two as she navigates her terminal cancer diagnosis, is made for “people who like to cry”.
Instead of revealing the news to her two daughters and devoted husband, Ann, played by Sarah Polley, keeps her diagnosis secret and quietly reshapes her life into one she had never dared to live. Devastating scenes play out as Ann records birthday messages for her children and visits her estranged father in prison, which are juxtaposed with adventurous new experiences as she crosses paths with Lee, played by Mark Ruffalo, and tries to make peace with her life before passing.
The introspective film uses the quiet moments of everyday life to portray the deep sadness of the mother’s private struggle, a relatability that somehow cuts deeper than the loud drama of Hollywood.
Professional critics on Rotten Tomatoes shared their praise, with one stating: “This is a film for people who like to cry, and there’s a contrived element that’s inherent to the beautiful-death genre. Still, Polley is the film’s saving grace…”
Another critic added: “My Life Without Me is not a gentle film. Insistent and unforgettable, it wounds on the inside, and the scars feel fresh for some time.”
However, others gave the film a ‘rotten’ ranking, with one saying it was “silly, dull and depressing”.
On the film review webstite, the average score from the general public fared much higher than the 97 professional critics, with an average rating of 87% from 10,000 audience ratings, compared to 65% from the professionals.