Let me get one thing out of the way early on: I really did like this movie. I know a lot of Americans don't really get British humor (outside of Monty Python) and I really think that's a shame. But I'll admit this movie muddles the waters even further for some with it's relatively seamless transitions from melancholy to humor.
As a basic premise it seems sound; a dying 15 year old boy has one final wish: to get laid once in his life. And who better to help him carry that wish out than his best friend? Seems like a good set up for some wacky hijinks, no? Well...that's kind of the problem. Remember, the kid's dying. There's a lot to explore there that's not at all funny. So while the film does deliver on some of the humorous aspects of a teenager's search for some action (on behalf of a bedridden friend, no less), much of that humor gets overshadowed by the weight of the situation. Plus, the film often attempts to transition between humorous and heartfelt a little too quickly. It's hard to laugh at something immediately after the main characters get soul-crushingly bad news. That said, for those who like a little something different and are tired of the usual teenage sex comedy, this might be just the thing. Sure, it's more than a little dark, but it lends some weight to the story in the end.
As a basic premise it seems sound; a dying 15 year old boy has one final wish: to get laid once in his life. And who better to help him carry that wish out than his best friend? Seems like a good set up for some wacky hijinks, no? Well...that's kind of the problem. Remember, the kid's dying. There's a lot to explore there that's not at all funny. So while the film does deliver on some of the humorous aspects of a teenager's search for some action (on behalf of a bedridden friend, no less), much of that humor gets overshadowed by the weight of the situation. Plus, the film often attempts to transition between humorous and heartfelt a little too quickly. It's hard to laugh at something immediately after the main characters get soul-crushingly bad news. That said, for those who like a little something different and are tired of the usual teenage sex comedy, this might be just the thing. Sure, it's more than a little dark, but it lends some weight to the story in the end.