Third Star
Third Star
| 01 June 2010 (USA)
Third Star Trailers

James and his three closest lifelong friends go on an ill-advised trip to the stunning coastal area of Barafundle Bay in West Wales. What follows is a touching and comical adventure dealing with friendship, heroism and love.

Reviews
KnotMissPriceless Why so much hype?
GetPapa Far from Perfect, Far from Terrible
Curapedi I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.
Phillipa Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.
ypomoni13 This film would have had more stars had it not been for the amateur direction of Hattie Dalton. 20 min in I almost gave up on what I initially assumed to be a bad, made-for-TV feature. However I persevered and for that I was rewarded. I loved this short feature. Four friends go on a physically challenging road trip to appease their dying friend's last wish. Laughs, arguments, revelations and redemption are all part of the escapade, done with sincerity in the beautifully written dialogues and avoiding over-the-top sentimentality. All four characters are present in this feature, all are different, flawed and believable. As the film progress so does our insight into these people, in each of whom we can recognize a bit of ourselves or of somebody we know. Emotional as it may be, it is not a sad film. Days later I was still musing over the characters actions and reactions to one another. The acting of all 4 main characters is superb (Cumberbatch, in particular gives a powerful and yet subtle performance as the cancer-stricken protagonist). The ending is fitting for this poignant film.
kriszcsiki How often do we get to watch a movie and laugh in one minute, cry in the other? When emotions run so deep that we smile through our tears and tear up when laughing at a joke... This is what this movie did to me. Kudos to the cast for a brilliant performance, each in their own role, and to the director to provide a wonderful audio-visual background to the beauty that lies in the friendships of these four young men.After seeing it, we ask ourselves: would we be able to do what Davy did? Could we be this strong and brave? Maybe if we love someone that much. Maybe.Another question is: how would we deal with a serious illness? How CAN we? The alternative is wait until it vanquishes us and steals everything from us that we used to be, that used to make us what we are, or... or take the upper hand and go out screaming. Choose how we want to end it. Choose to miss many important events and great moments... because we want to feel capable... just once again. James poses this question and we are left wondering up until the end which alternative he chooses.I strongly, highly recommend this film to everyone who loves genuine human emotions portrayed without sentimentalism, who thinks that friendship is not over-rated and that there can be times when friends are all that's left to rely on. Because in friendship, we have a choice.
rojakrojak The emotions evoked from this movie is just too powerful. Benedict's performance; his every wince and moan at the pain suffered by a cancer patient, his glossed-over eyes depicts those of a person falling in and out of morphine daydream. His performance is just brilliant. This movie also brings out the question of morality. Do you or do you not help a person in this much of pain? Could you bear to see your friend suffer for the sake of adhering to what society deems as moral?The questions that James asked his friends about what they're doing with their lives makes you think whether you are doing enough with yours. Would you wish you'd have more time to do the things you always put off doing, or would you be able to die with no regrets, with no urgency or need to tie loose ends.
marylou3000 It's some kind of buddy movie, but not as "Hangover" did it. Not at all. It's about true friendship and the joy of life. You might cry at the end... I did not. It's not a sad movie, it's a true movie. Love is a big theme here, and the landscape plays a big part, too.Cumberbatch is overwhelmingly brilliant and heartbreaking as James, who's ill with cancer and goes on a trip with his three best friends to live life to the fullest one last time. Cumberbatch is fragile and strong, tearing up and laughing out loud within seconds, embracing life and annoying his friends with worldly wisdoms. He's not an entirely likable character and therefore the more likable. Tom Burke, Adam Robertson and JJ Field also do an excellent job, but it's Cumberbatch who is the most mesmerizing thing on-screen. When the film ends, you feel exhausted but not sad. And you want to meet your friends and tell them that you love them.