Leave (2011)

Ughhh this movie mildly depressed me.. and that's a compliment. It struck a personal chord with me, I guess it's because I know someone who has gone through something similar to Rick Gomez's character Henry. Most movies would show you the perspective of the people standing on the sidelines watching someone they know suffer from an illness, but in this movie you're given the perspective of the sick person himself, and it was portrayed realistically, emotionally, and psychologically disturbing. It gives you an insight of what they're going through, how it's affecting their lives, and how it's impacted them physically and mentally. And obviously it's not easy. Throughout the film I was just scared for and at the same time, captivated by Henry's struggling. It hit the feels, really. I'm still thinking about it.I absolutely love the work done here. Rick Gomez and Frank John Hughes did a brilliant job both in writing the story and their performance. My admiration for them only grew even more, truly talented actors and so underrated by the industry. Great film.

I have never been more captivated by a movie in my life and I think this is one of the most outstanding films I have ever seen. Sadly for many people, it will go unnoticed. The casting is genius! <-- hard to believe since I've never seen or heard of any of the actors before. And with no visual effects and only 4 characters throughout the entire film - it deserves all 10 stars. I don't even think a bigger budget would add to or could expand on the film's brilliance. The storyline in itself is 10 out of 10.Regarding the genre I'd say it's a thriller, but it's not. But it kind of is. It's also a drama. It takes you on a journey of self discovery and really makes your brain tick well after the movie has ended. It might even cause you to shift your perspective on things in your own life. It's also about coming to a crossroads in your life. It's about fear. It's about choices. It's a must see!

Just as a sign of how much this film moved me, this is my first review on IMDb after 3 years of not having much to add or say about countless other movies.As other reviewers have written, it's tough to talk about "Leave" without spoiling it.The best I can do is recommend you read the synopsis, perhaps watch the trailer and make up your own mind. Don't fall for the abysmal ratings on IMDb. You can leave and dismiss it as I almost did or stay and be surprised. Do what you want.You have a choice. One minute into the film and I wasn't sure if this was for me. I chose to let go and enjoy the trip. Turns out this was just what I needed.I'd describe it as a slow paced psychological thriller. It's a short movie and it's perfect as it is.I can say I've watched this twice in a row and I'm still thinking about it. I cannot recommend this enough.

***This review may contain spoilers***The direction and performances in Leave are terrific, even though the underlying premise of the film isn't particularly original. More seasoned viewers may recognize elements from such films as An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge or Jacob's Ladder, where the entire narrative is essentially a waking dream/nightmare or hallucination in the mind of a character who is dying or about to die.But the issue here isn't one of originality. "We tell ourselves stories in order to live," Joan Didion famously said. But we can also tell ourselves stories in order to learn how to die. It may be a story we've heard before, but that doesn't necessarily make it any less powerful.So while I suspected Leave was moving in a (to me) somewhat familiar direction, I found the cumulative effect of the film overwhelming. As both a medical professional and as a private person, I have had to deal with the reality of losing patients and loved ones. But each passing is its own unique journey. Even through great suffering, some do not want to let go---they cling fiercely to what's left of their lives. Who can blame them? But there comes a time when all of us must say goodbye, yet when and how we finally choose to say it is a process as complex as it is unpredictable. Leave asks us to bear witness to one man's coming to terms with this inevitability.I suppose there are people who are made angry or afraid by films that touch them at this primal, emotionally raw level, but essentially they're cutting themselves off from some of the greatest dramas ever written. They should probably stick with safe, unchallenging fare--loud, empty toys like the latest Transformers iteration or paint-by-numbers rom-com. Some can live on a diet of popcorn and little else. Meanwhile, some of us will continue seeking out films such as Leave, which aren't afraid to ask the (literally) ultimate questions that all of us as human beings will eventually have to face.