Miss You Already

Miss You Already (2015) is a deeply moving, emotionally charged comedy-drama, an ode to friendship and resilience in the face of life’s most challenging trials. The film, directed by British filmmaker Catherine Hardwicke, writer of the critically acclaimed film Thirteen (2003), weaves a heartfelt story of friendship, love, and resilience. Unfolding against the vibrant backdrop of modern London, the film breathes life into a stirring tale of two best friends as they navigate the highs and lows of life together.

The storyline trails the lives of these two insuperable friends, Milly (Toni Collette) and Jess (Drew Barrymore). The characters are presented in their mid-thirties, a phase of life where responsibilities demand balance with personal aspirations. Milly is a glamorous, high-spirited PR consultant, living the uptown life of glitz and glam. She is married to a rock-and-roll enthusiast named Kit (Dominic Cooper), and together they have two children, living the picture-perfect life, seemingly in the prime of their existence.

In contrast, Jess leads a rather simple, grounded life with her boyfriend, Jago (Paddy Considine), living on a houseboat docked at London's shores. Despite their vastly different worlds, their unshakeable bond is remarkable. The story essentially captures the essence of their enduring friendship which has effortlessly stood the test of time, weathering all life's storms. They are seemingly inseparable, their lives wound together since their childhood days.

In the movie, a life-altering event throws a wrench in their near-perfect lives – Milly is diagnosed with breast cancer. The devastating news hits Milly hard, and it becomes a journey of resilience for her and an emotional ordeal for Jess who stands by her unconditionally in her battle against the disease. It’s a turning point in both their lives as they face this uphill challenge together, a test of their friendship. They grapple with the implications of Milly's illness, the narrative diving into the turmoil and the emotional roller coaster that comes with such a diagnosis.

The film isn’t just a chronicle of Milly’s battle with cancer but an exploration of the impact it has on her relationships, the dynamics with her husband Kit and children, and the toll it takes on her closest ally, Jess. The struggles of Milly acting out due to her intense treatments and change in appearance and Jess' duty to maintain a supportive front while concealing her personal issues underline the narrative of this brilliantly knitted drama.

Meanwhile, while supporting Milly, Jess artistically fights a battle of her own – trying to conceive a baby. The parallel journeys of Milly and Jess, albeit being a part of each other’s world, drift apart due to personal battles, and yet remain connected with an invisible thread of friendship. This heartfelt exploration of their parallel journeys adds depth, poignancy and complex undertones to the narrative.

The performances by Toni Collette and Drew Barrymore are heart-touching, believable, and impeccably rendered. Collette embodies Milly with a blend of vulnerability and courage, while Barrymore gives life to Jess with gentle warmth and quiet strength. Dominic Cooper does a commendable job portraying Kit, a rock 'n' roll enthusiast who is struggling to maintain love for his wife amid the turmoil.

Director Catherine Hardwicke skillfully manages to separate her film from other films dealing with similar themes, by adding a perfect blend of humor and depth, to the profound narrative. She navigates the narrative through emotional depths and heights skillfully, making the audience feel the deep bond between the characters while seasoning it with thought-provoking scenarios and humor. Despite the sobering theme, the narrative is spruced up with bursts of comedy, highlighting the undying spirit of the characters.

Miss You Already succeeds in delivering a compelling and emotionally charged account of an unyielding friendship that gets tested in the face of adversity. It’s a poignant tale of two friends navigating the tumultuous waters of life together, a testament to the power of enduring friendship, love, and resilience in the face of life-altering circumstances. The film isn’t merely about cancer or its aftermath but about how life is shaped during and after the storm, reminding us that true friendship is a beacon of hope, irrespective of the hardships.