Third Star (2010)

James and his closest friends embark on an adventure of a lifetime in this heartfelt story of friendship, compassion and heroism.

I originally found this movie somewhere around 2011, I believe. I wasn't able to sleep, and I didn't want to wake up my boyfriend with my tossing and turning, so I went into the living room and tried to find something to watch. I found this movie for free on Amazon Prime and decided to check it out. I love independent films, so I felt there was no harm in watching it. I sat there by myself, watching this gorgeous film, crying and reflecting, and didn't sleep at all that night. When my boyfriend got up for work the next day, I told him there was a movie he needed to see when he got home that evening. That night, we watched the movie together, and this guy who does not get emotional during movies got choked up. Even the second time I was watching this film, I was blown away. This is exactly the kind of film an actor dreams of being a part of.

The cast is small but mighty. At the time, most of the actors weren't very well known but are now heavy hitters in the industry. Benedict Cumberbatch as James, Tom Burke as Davy, JJ Feild as Miles, and Adam Robertson as Bill make up the main cast, while Hugh Bonneville and Karl Johnson, both of whom I adore, surprise us with their appearances.

Benedict Cumberbatch, known now for many roles, plays a man named James, celebrating his 29th birthday while struggling with terminal cancer. He and his friends embark on a journey after his party to Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire, against the wishes of James' family.

Davy, played by Tom Burke, is a man looking for a place where he is needed after the PR firm lets him go. He is also married to Chloe, James' sister. He becomes James' caretaker, in a sense, to not only help his friend but also fill his need of not feeling useless.

JJ Feild is Miles, an aspiring writer trying to live up to everything his father was. It is important to note that his father died of cancer when Miles was a teenager, and this shapes a lot of the relationship between Miles and James.

Bill, played by Adam Robertson, is the one friend who never really grew up. Playful and not taking anything seriously, we later find out that he is dealing with some pretty grown-up things in his life, and this trip is his last bit of freedom before facing a huge change.

Vaughan Sivell wrote a gorgeous screenplay, and Hattie Dalton's direction really brought it to life. While this is listed as a drama, I feel this film is without labels, in my opinion. I dare say, in all honesty, this is probably one of the best films I will see in my lifetime. A lot of the beauty of this film is its brutal honesty. It's unapologetic in its simplicity. There is no crazy CGI, no major stunts—just human nature, friendship, grief, and love. It is refreshing in the climate of remakes, reboots, and sequels.

For my American readers, this will be difficult to find, but you can locate Blu-ray and DVD copies in the links below. It's no longer available in America for some reason. I do hope you give this movie a go, however. It's meaningful, powerful, and impactful. We all know someone who has or has had cancer, and this movie gives a different perspective on the battle, no matter what side of it you are on. As James says in the film, "The illness is mine, but the tragedy is theirs."

If you are interested in purchasing a copy, I have the Amazon links below:

Blu-Ray

DVD

You can also visit the film studio's website by clicking here

Have you seen this film?

• Yes- I loved it!
• Yes- Wasn't for me
• No- I'm not interested
• No- But I will now!