Popcorn With Peter Travers Season 8 Episode 32 Get to Know the Stars of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Get ready to meet the stars of the heart-warming indie hit, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. On this episode of Popcorn with Peter Travers, we delve into the lives of rising stars Thomas Mann, Olivia Cooke and RJ Cyler. Mann plays Greg, a high-school student whose life is turned upside down when he befriends a classmate who's been diagnosed with leukemia. Cooke plays the titular dying girl, Rachel, while Cyler plays Earl, Greg's best friend and filmmaking collaborator.

The episode starts with Travers asking Mann about his role in the film. Mann talks about how he connected with Greg's character, a boy who is trying to make sense of his life while dealing with a terminally ill friend. Mann also discusses the fun he had working with Cooke and Cyler, and how their offscreen chemistry helped bring their onscreen friendship to life.

Next, Travers turns his attention to Cooke. Cooke speaks about the challenges of playing a character with a terminal illness, as well as the emotional toll it took on her. She also talks about her chemistry with Mann and Cyler, and how they were able to create a believable and heartwarming friendship onscreen.

Travers then talks to Cyler about his role as Earl, Greg's best friend and filmmaking partner. Cyler talks about how he connected with Earl's character, and how he drew on his own experiences to bring the character to life. He also discusses the fun he had working with Mann and Cooke, and how they became close friends off set.

Throughout the episode, Travers shows clips from the film, highlighting the strong performances of the three young leads. He also interviews the director, Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, who talks about the challenges of adapting the popular novel into a compelling and emotionally resonant film.

Travers also discusses the film's themes of friendship, loss, and creativity, and how they resonate with audiences of all ages. He praises the film's ability to navigate difficult emotional terrain with humor and heart, making it both a tear-jerker and a crowd-pleaser.

As the episode comes to a close, Travers asks each of the actors what they hope audiences take away from the film. Mann says he hopes people will be inspired to connect with others in a genuine and meaningful way, while Cooke hopes the film will help people appreciate the fragility of life. Cyler sums up the film's message by saying, "It's important to enjoy the present, because you never know what's going to happen."

Overall, this episode of Popcorn with Peter Travers is a must-see for fans of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, as well as anyone interested in the art of acting and the power of film to move and inspire. It's a touching and thought-provoking tribute to one of the most buzzed-about movies of the year.