Now Is Good

Now is Good is a film based on a novel by Jenny Downham. The movie tells the story of Tessa, a seventeen-year-old girl who has leukemia. Tessa, played by Dakota Fanning, has been enduring many treatments, including chemotherapy, for several years. When her doctors finally tell her that they believe the cancer has become too much, Tessa decides to stop all treatment and simply live the rest of her life as well as she can. Tessa’s decision comes as a shock to her family. Her parents are separated, and they each deal with the situation in a different way. Tessa’s mother attempts to be as supportive as possible. Tessa’s father becomes clingy and tries to deny the fact that Tessa is dying. He continues to seek a cure even though there is nothing left to do. Tessa’s younger brother, Cal, bounces back and forth between emotions. He knows his sister is dying but can’t seem to come to terms with the facts. Meanwhile, Tessa has her best friend, Zoey, to help her make a list of things to do before she dies. Tessa’s bucket list contains several outrageous ideas, including doing drugs and losing her virginity. Zoey is incredibly supportive and is determined to make her best friend’s last days as fun and exciting as possible. However, Zoey soon finds herself in more trouble than she ever expected. As Zoey and Tessa continue to fulfill Tessa’s bucket list, things take some unexpected turns. Tessa’s world turns upside down when she becomes closer to her neighbor, Adam. Adam is reserved and somewhat shy. However, this does not stop him from falling in love with Tessa. Tessa soon begins to fall in love with Adam as well. This was something Tessa never expected, and now the couple must fit a lifetime’s worth of love into the small time Tessa has left.