Very disappointing...

To me, this movie is perfection.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

Certainly the terminal disease angle in films has been done and then done again. If a really talented writer does the script justice then you can move people to really great heights of emotion. The film 50/50 buried that emotion under disgusting crude humour and this film buries that huge emotion under a very slapped together script, rushed performances, and honestly the cast just looks sort of bored, or forced into this. The film advertises itself heavily using performances by "Academy Award Winners" Kathy Bates and Whoopi Goldbergh, both of whom have just cameos in the film basically. The film tries to be a romance but also a drama, comedy and it never really finds its foothold in any one genre and that is a problem for it. The film is watchable and has some fun scenes but it misses the mark in so many ways. I knew right away that it wasn't going to live up to a mainstream theatre release because when a film like this comes out on DVD that you've never heard of but has a big Hollywood cast...there is a reason it didn't find a distributor/producer or an audience. You will like this...its cute but then that's all there is.Kate Hudson has made her mark by playing the cute, fun, romantic lead type of girl. This film tries to give her some edge as promiscuous, career driven woman with an attitude who finds herself thrown off by a terminal diagnoses and then by falling in love. She's good but she doesn't even try to take it to another level. As I mentioned, I think it felt like she was obligated to do this film and didn't really give it her all. Gael García Bernal was almost downright boring in his role. The character was completely under developed, the chemistry between them was a joke and yet the driving force in this film is this magic, once in a lifetime romance that blossoms over two or three scenes. Very poor scripting on the part of the writer and sub par performances on both Bernal and Hudson. The highlight of this film is really the supporting characters. Kathy Bates is fun as Hudson's Mom, Treat Williams as her Dad in one or two scenes. Her best friends played by Lucy Punch and Romany Malco do a solid job but they are underused. A really fun cameo by Peter Dinklage ends up being the best scene in the whole film.I might sound particularly bitter towards this film, especially since I am giving it a decent 6 but the film has such potential and its wasted and I feel like its just because no one gives any effort at all. TV director Nicole Kassell tries her best but the script is very weak and she does put together some decent scenes but it will leave you feeling empty. My guess would be that some studio had days or weeks left on contracts with the stars and/or the script so they churned it out. Its average in every way and while its not a waste of time you will feel as cheated as I did out of a great movie. 6/10

if you want an hour and thirty minutes plus movie of overly emotional sentimental teary eyed one whole box of tissues movie - this is it! a mawkish story told in just the worst acting from start to finish.there is only one good thing i can say about this movie - it's photographed beautifully with colorful sets, grand effects, and nice music. but that is it! certainly the director didn't expect anyone to believe the plight of the leading role. she never looks ill or dissipated from the 'radical medical treatment' she received.no, no, no! what a waste of time. this melodrama would have been more suited to some past decade when people expected this role playing called 'entertainment'.ugh!

Marley (Kate Hudson) is a rising ad exec with a circle of friends she can count on. But, she is not interested in a long term romantic relationship, she prefers very brief encounters or partners who are unlikely to demand more. Why is this? She is young, beautiful and has a great sense of humor, plus a love of children. Well, its parent-blaming time, for her repugnant dad (Treat Williams) has always stepped on his backbone-less wife (Kathy Bates). Marley doesn't wanted repeated history. Life takes a turn for her, though, when persistent weight loss forces her to make a doctor's appointment. Julian Goldberg, M.D. (Gael Garcia Bernal) is a sensitive, gentle man who also happens to be a very handsome guy from Mexico. It is he who breaks the staggering news that this vibrant woman has fourth stage colon cancer. With very few options, Marley begins one treatment, then another that is her last chance. Meanwhile, her friends try to cheer her up, by sending a dwarf gigolo (Peter Dinklage) to give her a "little bit of heaven" or they take her shopping or dining. Also, Mother moves in to help Marley cope and take care of her dog. What is most amazing is that Marley gains a strong affection for Dr. Goldstein and he, breaking patient protocol, returns the love. Also, under anesthesia, Marley has a visit with God (Whoopi Goldberg) who tells her she can have three wishes before her death. As the list gets ticked off, what will happen if the third is reached? Okay, this film has been criticized heavily for its trite look at a serious illness. Yes, Hudson remains beautiful throughout her illness and seems to enjoy life without a lot of pain, even near the end. Even so, the subject of death is treated with some doses of reality and humor that, this viewer feels, would help others who are combating terminal ailments. The cast is most likely the best asset, for having Hudson, Bernal, Bates, Williams, Dinklage, Goldberg and all of the others is a big plus. Bernal, especially, has the most thankless task of breathing life into a poorly written role and he does well. Also, the New Orleans setting is nice while the costumes are likewise terrific. Romance lovers will be pleased, too, even though the direction and script are a mixed bag. So, if you like tear jerkers or love stories or, as stated, are dealing with sickness, ignore the critics and get it.

Cried my eyes out in both laughter and sorrow (in the best way possible). Kate Hudsons portrayal of a lively women who finds out she has terminal cancer, made the painful reality of cancer easier to understand and accept. The decision to have Marley not loose her hair didn't make this story less believable because the makeup and hair did justice to the image of suffering and illness. I felt and loved every moment of Kates performance and I loved every minute of this movie. I recommend it to everyone, not only because it teaches us to live our lives as if the world was ending tomorrow, but also because no other film has had the balls to address the delicacy of someone passing on with so much detail all the way to the very end. Most films cut out the hardest part of losing a loved one in the last minute, where as the writer tackled it with dignity and truth. I hope to see Kate Hudson in more films that demonstrate her bravery and talent with dramatic stories.