Dying Young (1991)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Joel Schumacher

Writers (WGA):

Marti Leimbach (novel)
Richard Friedenberg (screenplay)

Release Date:

21 June 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

She's giving him something nobody else could. A reason to live.

Plot:

After she discovers that her boyfriend has betrayed her, Hilary O'Neil is looking for a new start and a new job...

Plot Keywords:

Cancer | Nurse | Tragic Love | Maze | Dying Young

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Julia Roberts	...	Hilary O'Neil
Campbell Scott	...	Victor Geddes
Vincent D'Onofrio	...	Gordon
Colleen Dewhurst	...	Estelle Whittier
David Selby	...	Richard Geddes
Ellen Burstyn	...	Mrs. O'Neil
Dion Anderson	...	Cappy
George Martin	...	Malachi
A.J. Johnson	...	Shauna
Daniel Beer	...	Danny
Behrooz Afrakhan	...	Moamar
Michael Halton	...	Gordon's Friend
Larry Nash	...	Assistant
Alex Trebek	...	Host of Jeopardy
Richard Friedenberg	...	Jeopardy Contestant

Also Known As:

The Choice of Love (Europe: English title)

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Brazil:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:12 | Singapore:NC-16 | South Korea:15 | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Filoli Ranch, Redwood City, California, USA

Company:

Fogwood Films

Trivia:

The late Colleen Dewhurst who played Estelle Whittier's character was Campbell Scott's (Victor Geddes) mother (George C. Scott was Campbell Scott's father).

Goofs:

Continuity: Snow covers the ground the night of the big party in Mendocino, and the roads are frozen over with ice, but the next morning, the snow and ice is completely gone from the entire landscape.

Quotes:

Victor Geddes: My mother said, "You don't have to like everything, but you have to try everything."
Hilary O'Neil: Oh, my mother always said, "Pass the Velveeta."

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Alien from L.A. (#6.16)" (1993)

Soundtrack:

OUGHTA BE A LAW

Beautifully sad movie that just misses the mark.

My first complaint was that Vincent D'Onofrio was totally wasted in this role, although he brought some much needed life to this role. If they had fully developed Vincent'Onofrio's character then this could have been a beautiful and powerful triangle, but they wasted most of the supporting characters.

Campbell Scott was great as the young man dying of leukemia and gave a riveting performance as a young man who had never been able to fully live his life and groping for what he considers his last chance of happiness before dying.

Campbell Scott also has the courage to be unlikeable and at times arrogant rather than a plaster saint. His inability to connect and understand the simple friendship offered by Gordon(Vincent D'Onofrio) is almost painful to watch. He envies Gordon's easy openness and zest, and is also jealous of the way that Gordon effortlessly connects to JUlia Roberts character,Hilary.

The most poignant scene is when this young man of wealth, privilege, and education tries to relate with Gordon and Hilary who are getting a kick out of answering the questions to Jeopardy. He scores big on the questions that he studied in college, but grows more and more frustrated as Hilary and Gordon bond over their ordinary knowledge of TV shows-- like their singing the theme to Gilligan's Island. They are having fun, but Vincent can only see it as a competition.

In that moment he sees a world that he has never known and probably will never really get, and he lashes out at both of them. Gordon is hurt and puzzled and Hilary is torn between anger and understanding.

I wish that they had had Julia telling Gordon about how the character of Vincent was struggling with cancer, and having all three of them interact with each other bringing more depth to their struggles-- Vincent's jealousy of watching Hilary and Gordon interacting, and Gordon reaching out in friendship to help his new friend. It also would have given Hilary more insight into her emotions, and, when she made a choice it would have had more meaning.