Title: Ginger
MPAA Rating: Not Yet Rated
Director: Jimmy and Melissa Boratyn
Starring: Susan Gordon, Meghan Flood, Debra Rodkin
Runtime: 1 hr 35 mins

What It Is: Margaret, a 23-year-old college graduate, works at a small coffee-shop and is applying for jobs in her field, trying to get a hold on her future. She goes by Ginger, she has a sophisticated-yet-cold doctor fuck-buddy, her co-worker is her best friend, and her manager is her worst enemy. That is until Ginger receives the worst news of her life that puts her own life in jeopardy and forces her to reflect on where she really sees herself ending up if she makes it through.

What We Think: Though presented as a light and simple comedy, Ginger strikes emotionally deep. That’s not just commenting on the fact that it’s an “inspired by a true story” involving cancer–that’s a facet that has always been an easy mechanism to draw the tears and fears out of many. What makes the story as a whole effective is the incredibly endearing force that is the spirit of the filmmakers and our lead who portrays our protag with a generous sense of humor, kindness, and humanity. There’s a remarkable sweetness to be found here as the weight of reality becomes more and more tangible as you grow to love the personable and playful Ginger more and more, and are forced to see her struggle through an illness that, even for moments, breaks your heart when you see the sunshine leave her disposition. Though many of the character and story beats may feel familiar, the legitimacy of the presentation still left me reeling as the precise maintenance of its energy, hope, and hardship keeps you grounded alongside its characters. The writing speaks strongly with pathos in not only providing naturalistic and engaging conversation for its characters as Ginger and company struggle with her disease, but additionally colors realistic tolls such as that of financial stress due to the localized issue of the cruelly expensive nature of American healthcare.

Our Grade: B, It was funny, it was affectionate, it was real. Ginger is as moving as much as it is inspiring. Though it feels like it ends sort of abruptly, that could also be a complement towards the film’s and cast’s magnetism as they draw you in. I didn’t want to leave Ginger’s world, but I unabashedly enjoyed my stay while it lasted.