You're Not You (2014) User Reviews (65)

Brilliant

[anushkalovell · 8/10 · 12 October 2014]

This movie brought me to tears.

Our mother does not have ALS but very similar symptoms and she can not eat orally and has no skull bone in one part of her head, but to anyone suffering or caring for a loved one with ALS or does not understand the gravity of ALS, this movie is a must see.

This movies educates people, to some extent, about ALS and its destructiveness but also the hardships of caring for an individual with a crippling disease and what you can do to help an individual through music or swimming or just trying to do normal things like go out.

Brilliant acting on the path of both Hilary Swank and Emmy Rossum.

It's been a long time since I saw a movie that has moved me, the way this one did.

Intense Torture of ALS

[3xHCCH · 7/10 · 27 November 2014]

Kate is a woman who has it all -- beautiful, wealthy, a talented pianist, had a loving husband. Bec is a young woman who seemed to have everything going against her -- irresponsible college student, always drunk, sleeps around, a failed musician.

But one fateful day, Kate was diagnosed with the debilitating neurologic disease called ALS, which left her progressively helpless with her personal care. When she was choosing her caretaker, Kate saw something in this mess that is Bec. From there, these two women, who are polar opposites of each other, get along, bond and help each other get through their lives.

When ALS was mentioned as the diagnosis, you knew then where this film is headed. ALS or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and its devastating consequences has been in the news very much this year because of the viral Ice Bucket Challenge. There will be no surprises what will happen anymore during the course of the story up to the predictable end.

However, what will keep you glued to the screen are the performances of the two lead actresses: Hilary Swank as Kate, and Emmy Rossum as Bec.

I have not seen Hilary Swank for a long time already since her two Oscar Best Actress wins in the previous decade for "Boys Don't Cry" (1999) and "Million Dollar Baby" (2004). This film is somewhat reminiscent of the second film where she played a female boxer who had a spinal cord injury that made her quadriplegic.

Here in "You're Not You," the progress of the neurologic disorder is gradual, so Swank brought us on a torturous tour of how it is like to have your body deteriorate even as your brain remains completely lucid. Her character Kate remains so magnanimous throughout her ordeal, making her character likable and sympathetic even if we do not understand much of what she was saying.

I have not seen Emmy Rossum in another role since her breakthrough as the ingenue Christine in the film version of the Broadway musical "The Phantom of the Opera" (2004). Her brash and slovenly character here is so different from the meek, refined Christine in Phantom. This effectively shows the wide range Ms. Rossum has gained over the years.

Here we will also see the reaction of different people around them, their parents, the men in their lives, their friends, which kept things interesting.

Josh Duhamel plays Kate's controlling husband Evan. Frances Fisher plays Kate's mother, while Ed Begley Jr. plays her favorite uncle. Loreta Devine plays a fellow ALS patient who becomes her friend, while Eddie Hudson plays her supportive husband. Ali Larter and Andrea Savage play her fair-weather friends. On Bec's side, we have Marcia Gay Harden who plays her cold mother. Julian McMahon plays her sleazy professor. Jason Ritter plays a dorky but persistent suitor.

This film may be hard to swallow in several parts because of the intensity of the dramatic situations. The psychological reactions of the characters do not seem too typical, which is also good as it gave the material some unexpected surprises. However, the central performances of Swank and Rossum were so effective that empathetic audiences will be moved, maybe even to tears.

The movie will make you angry, happy & cry, sometimes at the same time. Swank should have gotten more recognition for this.

[cosmo_tiger · 8/10 · 13 April 2015]

"You wanna die and you know that I won't let you" Kate (Swank) has the perfect life. She is a classical pianist with a loving husband. One day she notices something strange happening to her, when she is diagnosed with ALS her life is changed. After burning through caregivers she hires Bec (Rossum). This simple hire does more for both of them than they could have imagined. This is simply a great movie. I had trouble trying to figure out why Hilary Swank didn't get nominated for this. That aside the movie is tremendously emotional and full of heart. The movie will make you angry, happy and cry, sometimes at the same time. Rossum also does a fantastic job in this. This is not a movie that makes you feel sorry for Kate, even though you do. This movie gives hope and happiness to not only those suffering from the disease but also the care givers to those helping. I can not say enough about this and I recommend this. Overall, a great movie that Swank should have gotten more recognition for. Watch this. I give it an A-.

Good acting in a mediocre storyline

[navtaz · 6/10 · 20 April 2015]

In all fairness having watched Intouchables (2011) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1675434/ watching this movie felt more like a female version of the same storyline. Hilary Swank has done a powerful portrayal of person suffering from ALS and you are almost shocked to see her degenerative condition take shape in her speech and movement, the rest of the cast is also quite good and has done a fair job but besides this the movie it self was more like a documentary with a very shallow story line and not much to offer then provoking a few sentimental thoughts for the characters through the movie. With a very predictable plot and nothing left to imagination I would rate this as a rather mediocre movie and am rather amazed by the high rating it has been getting, the only explanation I have is that it plays well on peoples sentiments and carries popular cast.

Bring a box of Kleenex

[mjorgensen62-40-114257 · 10/10 · 10 October 2014]

I'm glad I saw this movie alone. It's kinda embarrassing for a guy to be crying at a movie.

A relationship builds between the two characters (Rossum and Swank) that goes far beyond acting. I judge a movie by how much I care about what happens to the characters. This movie did not disappoint.

At times, the movie is funny; at times, it's all you can do to not sob out loud. No spoilers here -- you'll have to let the plot build up around you.

As the closing credits roll, try to listen to the words of the song. Dry your eyes so you can see who's singing it.

Moving, straight up drama about true friends and dying of ALS

[secondtake · 7/10 · 27 April 2015]

You're Not You (2014)

This is a straight forward drama, and an intense one. There are two main characters who are meant to be opposites in most ways. Kate (Hilary Swank) is wealthy, a successful classical musician, well mannered, and surrounded by friends. Bec (Emily Rossum) is struggling in every way: her half-finished folk-rock songs, her iffy friends, her bills, and her who-cares attitude. It's given from the get-go they will meet, and with the doubts of Kate's kindly handsome husband, Bec begins homecare for Kate, who is diagnosed early in the movie with ALS.

So this is really a story of a privileged woman learning about true friendship and caring, shorn of niceties. And of a troubled woman learning she has real worth and can actually contribute in a way that makes her grow. The two are never quite friends—there are things they just don't know about each other, and communication becomes harder through time— but they are absolutely devoted and bound to each other. This is beautiful and truly moving by the end. Tearjerker alert.

This is also a story about ALS, and how to cope, and how maybe to understand what people might need who are dying slowly of this disease—or any other progressively degrading illness. This too is difficult to watch.

Swank is terrific, and scary in her ability to be that victim just when life is all roses. Rossum comes off at first as not believable. Her antics and extreme disregard for things (the blender scene, for those who have seen it) are planted in the movie to make a point, and it almost made me move on. But hang in there! After half an hour the real movie begins, if you will, and the acting and writing all rise a level up.

It must be said that the husband plays an ongoing role here, and also a believable one. He is truly caring and tender, but also flawed. And so you see everyone has flaws, including Kate, who recognizes them in herself as much as others. Which gives it all the nuancing this movie needed to work.

It works. It isn't a surprising, twisting, drama by any stretch. Rather, it settles into telling us about a part of our real world with sensitive, beautiful detail.

5-Star Movie

[Modoc_1-132-780064 · 10/10 · 13 October 2014]

First of all to the person that wrote the review that it was a 4.7 chick flick! I really don't believe you even saw the movie or you could not have written what you did!!!

This was a fantastic, very well done deeply gratifying movie! The STARS played their parts very well! And yes I am a guy! I could not have asked for anything better! ALS is a very debilitating disease and this shows what people who live with it everyday has to go through!Not only the patient, but also the surrounding people! This movie portrays the life they go through very well! You won't be disappointed if you see this movie!

Jay Smith, New Jersey

A very moving film

[Gordon-11 · 17 July 2015]

This film tells the story of a woman in her time of her life, whose life is turned upside down when she notices tenors of her hand. The next thing she knows, she is battling the steadily progressive and irreversible disease of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

While the ice bucket challenge raises superficial awareness towards ALS, "You're Not You" really tells people what it is like to have a motor neurone disease. Hilary Swank acts with terrific realism in this film, even down to the changing quality of her voice. The plot is super moving, I lost count the number of times my eyes tear up. To me it's a bit of mystery why she gives Bec a chance to nurse her, but it's very refreshing to see that they strike up an unlikely but deep and lasting friendship that us based on mutual respect and trust. I really enjoyed watching this film.

Brings me to tears

[mj1884 · 7/10 · 13 April 2019]

So many moments and feelings in this movie so many tiers. Amazing amazing cast !!!

... amazing work.. these are special actors at their best

[bjarias · 8/10 · 9 November 2014]

These two are not just good.. they are great! You know where the story is going, and there are not any surprises. But the way these two outstanding actors portray their characters is something not to be missed. We've seen them before, but it's always more fulfilling to watch them in roles that truly stretch and show their true talent. And it's absolutely incredible how Hillary Swank, as she gets older, she becomes so much more attractive and alluring. She is without a doubt one of the most uniquely gifted talents of her generation (many generations). There are so many celebrity actors in today's world.. but when you think of her, it's not as a celebrity.. but just as one of the best at what she does, and that's wonderful for her audience.

A tale of friendship that blossomed at the final juncture.

[Reno-Rangan · 7/10 · 13 August 2015]

It was quite some time I have not seen any Hilary Swank's movie. In this her role was very good one. Beside her's, another equally extended character played by Emma Rossum. As these two play the roles that defines the movie, which is more like the American and women's version of the French movie 'Intouchable'. I never heard of this film before, but got interested once I learnt about the storyline and of course the cast.

I usually become a prey for tearjerker movies, but not for the intense emotional drama like this one and so it is won't expect you fall for it either. Based on the book of the same name which was probably a fictional work inspired by the real disease. It talks about a 36 year old ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) patient, Kate and her caregiver, Bec, especially their unlikely relationship and activities together in the final days. They two are exactly opposite, it's not the fate, but day by day growing their deep bond bring them very close when they share everything in life.

A very good concept, but nothing new in the movie. Everything is already exhibited in other films. The only advantage is if you have not seen those in a large number. In my case, I like this kind of theme, so seen numerous in different languages. You are going to witness here a parallel storytelling in a different context with a fresh cast. But still the movie is captivating, because of excellent execution from both the cast and crew.

"Why is it that we want the ones that don't see us. Instead of the ones that do."

The let down was the rest of the characters. I don't know where they were, but totally discarded. It is understood that the husband and wife relationship was shattered because of the sacrifice. Friends and Parents, they have got ditched from the screenplay that won't happen in reality. The writers should have used them to create more sensational moments, but they had a different idea in mind to narrate the story. In a couple of places I felt Rossum had over-performed. In other hand, Swank was kind of attractive. I consider it a plus point to fix our face towards the screen, unfortunately she played a tragic role.

Despite all the good and bad, it was one step ahead for both the lead women to get back to their positions as an actress, compared to their recent years form in the industry. It is not a popular movie, but it should have been. A movie about how to build a friendship and to fight a disease. A friendship that blossomed at the final juncture, nevertheless it fought hard till the last minute. That is the major difference in this film to others. Like I complained earlier, there's no parents or husband, all about told from the perspective of a friendship. If you want to try this, don't anticipate to a greater height and clear your mind before entering. Expectations are the major cause for all the disappointments.

7/10

A Very Good Movie

[chrismackey1972 · 8/10 · 10 October 2014]

The movie opens with Kate (Hillary Swank), a classically trained pianist. One night while she's playing Chopin's Polonaise, she finds it hard to keep her fingers moving correctly. When she tune is over, she sees her pinky and thumb slightly twitching. 18 months later, it turns out that Kate has ALS. Bec's (Emmy Rossum) life is a bit of a mess. She's a struggling singer/songwriter, hooks up with random guys for sex, oversleeps, and is not the most reliable of people. She auditions to be Kate's caregiver. Against Kate's husband's - Evan - (Josh Duhamel) objections, Bec is given the job, which proves to be...interesting at first. The two women begin to bond into a real friendship, especially after Kate's marriage falls apart.

The movie was very well done. The acting was superb, especially Swank, who performed a variety of symptoms associated with ALS, from the twitching of the fingers, to the dragging of the legs, to the slurred, incoherent speech, and the coughing attacks. Rossum plays a character very similar to her Fiona character from Shameless - a stranger to wealth, class and refinement. All the same, she has a heart of gold.

I gave this an 8-star rating because I like both Swank and Rossum, and they did a spectacular job in their roles. The supporting cast was good, even though the movie was basically about the journey the two lead actresses go through together. The script was good, as was the directing. My one nitpick about the movie is Bec never would've been given the job of Kate's caregiver to begin with. However, it's not a true story, and aside from that, it was a very good tear jerker of a movie.

Powerhouse performance

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 14 December 2015]

Swank again with a very difficult role to pull off, but she has proved time and again that she can do it. It's no different this time around. Getting good support from the other actors (no pun intended), she works magic in this one too, in a very limiting role/character and one everyone can have sympathy and empathy for.

Not being able to use your whole body to express emotions or just to plain (inter)act with, is not easy, but something that Swank is doing a fine job with here. Rossums character is more of a wild card, but something that is needed. Someone to do the things Swanks character is not entirely able to do. A drama that is tough to watch, but very well made

Falling under

[Prismark10 · 5/10 · 12 May 2015]

Oscar Bait from Hilary Swank who clearly wishes to add to the two Best Actress Oscars she already has. She plays Kate a classical pianist diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. ALS. She takes on Bec (Emmy Rossum) as a carer who lacks experience as a carer, an unreliable college student who spends too much time in bars and has awful timekeeping.

Bec and Kate have a fractious relationship but they also rely on each other especially when Kate throws out her husband (Josh Duhamel) when she discovers that he had a brief affair but it is really because she does not want her illness to hold him back.

The film is well acted with Duhamel playing the rather snooty but dutiful husband who has made a lapse in judgment. Swank gives a tour de force but it is really Rossum the film should focus on and with her traumas. Her drinking, unreliability, inability to hold relationships and nervousness to perform music in public. I expected the film would have a thread where Kate the classical pianist would encourage Bec's musical abilities.

Instead the film takes on other strands and too many of them so we have later on various parents coming on to the scene and the film gets lost.

The film lacked a stronger story and instead goes for movie of the week sentimentality and mawkishness.

Not bad, but not great either

[gabrielchandragc · 6/10 · 9 September 2017]

If I try compare this movie with "Me Before You", then I can say this movie much better. But some character is not remarkable. Swank's character is unrealistic, Duhammel's character look wooden and boring.

And my biggest disappointed with this movie, what Mcmahon's character doing in here, so suck, awful, and asshole. Can't believe he take this role because so useless. C'mon.. can you imagine a person with title professor doing nasty scandal with his student? I thought his character more look like gigolo than a professor, there is no credibility. What a mess.

Simply Amazing

[DeviantHitman · 8/10 · 11 October 2014]

Hilary Swank outperforms with an amazing supporting performance by Emmy Rossum. Followed by a great male lead performance for Josh Duhamel. It is a moving and insightful look into the world of an ALS patient. The evolution of their relationship throughout the main character's condition was incredible. This movie delivers an amazing and emotional message that was clearly received. From someone who suffered the loss of a family member to this disease my opinion may be a little biased but this movie gave me a peek into a world unknown to myself. This is truly a staple in the drama genre. I have not seem a home run of a movie like this in many years.

Likeable cast - some plot holes.

[phd_travel · 7/10 · 23 November 2019]

ALS movie with an all star cast. Emmy acts skanky well. Good range. Hilary is good but they needed subtitles when she was speaking towards the second half. The guys are too nice for the gals. Liked the well cast mothers Marcia and Frances - just right.

The main character is perplexing. She sacks her maid and doesn't want her mother's help but then feels sad she ruined her husband's life. If she had just accepted the right help her marriage wouldn't have been strained. Another fault why would a wealthy woman have a Yamaha in her home?

For a disease show this is watchable.

Hillary Swank is amazing as usual

[grastevo · 10/10 · 17 October 2014]

I loved this film as my family did as well. Kate (Hillary swank) and her carer Bec's (Emmy Rossum) play two fantastic roles, Kate is a talented women who is in a loving relationship but that all changes in dramatic fashion. Bec's is a rogue with no direction in her shambles of a life until she meets Kate, quite an unlikely friendship develops between the two women. Now Bec's has got no experience when dealing with ALS patients but this is what seems to draw Kate to Bec's looking after her, Bec's doesn't treat her like she is dying and that's exactly what Kate needs. You need to be prepared for an emotional film as this is definitely one of them, not just for the sick Kate but also Bec's.

Enjoy this film with a box of tissues.

Love & support

[Asavel · 7/10 · 16 July 2018]

I knew little about ALS, it's so heartbreaking watching this condition played out the way it did through this movie and I take my hat off to those who fight and keep fighting through it and also to the carers who genuinely try their best to help enhance the quality of life of those suffering with this. It is worth the watch and would recommend it to anyone who are curious and Hillary Swank fans alike.

A beautiful movie that will touch your heart.

[MadameMim · 9/10 · 1 November 2014]

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You get caught in the movie from the start. Swank does an amazing performance as Kate, and I totally adore Rossum as Bec - at times I caught myself seeing her as Fiona -her character in Shameless. Their relationship grows with the movie, and it's very touching to see how Kate, even though her illness is getting worse, is finding joy, new friends and laughter. Throughout the movie I was half laughing and at times with tears in my eyes. OK , fair enough I usually get emotional in these kinds of movies - Like for example P.S I Love You , you know from the start what's about to happen and your sad, and happy and actually " feel good" at times - so this one wasn't any different in that sense, well I cried a lot more in this one ;) Don't miss out the song on the end, listen to the lyrics, it's so sweet and sad.

Great acting poor ending

[terenaz · 6/10 · 8 November 2022]

I enjoyed the movie. I thought Hilary Swank was a great actress and the relationship between her and her caregiver were really thought provoking .Great acting and good portrayal of the disease with all the stages so effectively portrayed. I felt the subplots added more to the story which helped to make it more complete. They could've developed the singing aspect of the other actress in the movie that would've possibly have made it more effective . It made no sense that she would die gasping for air but able to tell her friend to leave her alone. Surely someone would have made her comfortable with drugs like morphine. Hollywood ending!

It won me over

[Arcturus1980 · 8/10 · 25 October 2018]

I didn't take to this one at first. The premise seemed to me ludicrous: Kate (Swank), a severely handicapped ALS patient hires Bec (Rossum), a spaced-out party girl to be her caregiver. The wisdom of this decision and that of the film in general dawned on me in waves.

The characters are ultimately and invariably well written. Hilary Swank should be satisfied with her work here. Emmy Rossum wowed me by making a good part great. I have never been so unimpressed and then so compelled by a character. The film's atmosphere is not one of high cinema and ALS is not always accurately depicted, but everything to do with Bec's character arc is believable and executed to perfection.

It is a testament to the worthwhileness and transformative power of purposeful living.

Tearjerker!

[amgee-89551 · 6/10 · 2 August 2020]

Very emotional Film! Great Acting by Swank & Rossum! It's well worth a Watch! 6/10

Teflon

[westsideschl · 3/10 · 23 May 2015]

Stereotypical Hollywood dramatization of a serious medical issue. Usual hooks of attractive, successful, creative woman (a plain working person wouldn't do) and her sudden encounter with the effects of ALS on her and relationships with family. The usual script hooks of cheating husband; too proper relatives; and the best hook of all, a soon to be hired caretaker about as artificially made up (scripted) to be the opposite in character as a writer can think up. Caretaker is made to be her foil and it is tediously obvious, right from the very beginning - soon to be best friend & confident.

Casting, a cop-out to attract audience as none of the acting was at all believable. Well, maybe to the rom-com, romance paperback viewers the acting and script formula was Teflon perfect.

Sometimes difficult because of the subject, but fine performances in a nice story.

[TxMike · 12 April 2015]

The main page for this movie shows "release dates" but no business and box office numbers, so I don't know if it ever was in theaters. I found it on Netflix streaming movies. It features an all-star cast in a story about a difficult subject, a 30-something pianist in her prime being stricken with ALS.

Hilary Swank is Kate, a pianist happily married and living in Houston. (Although set in Houston, filmed elsewhere.) She and her husband have a very upscale home and entertain regularly. Her symptoms start very gradually with the occasional unexplained dropping of things. Then later, as she is playing a classical piece she plays wrong notes as her fingers seem to be trembling a bit. She is diagnosed with onset of ALS for which there is no cure, no reversal, and eventually requires a care-giver to help her get around and do even the basics, like using the toilet or taking a shower and getting dressed afterwards.

Emmy Rossum (who was so good 10 years earlier in 'Phantom') is Bec, pretty much the opposite type of person. She attends college, some times, seems very unfocused, and often enjoys nights out drinking and hooking up with a stranger. She is even having an affair with one of her married professors. She has no cooking or cleaning skills, and no experience as a care-giver, but against all probabilities Kate prefers her and asks her to take the job.

So most of the story is Kate trying to deal with all this and a husband who seems more and more distant, while Bec tries to get a better grip on her own life, and actually make something of herself. Maybe even re-kindle that dormant song-writing passion she used to have.

Josh Duhamel is good as the husband, Evan, and Jason Ritter is good as Wil, just a genuine nice guy who can't quite figure out why Bec won't give him a chance to care about her. Pretty Ali Larter also has a nice role as Keely, one of Kate's wealthy friends.

Good movie, often hard to watch, but the performances are super.