Yet another screening from The Arthouse Film Festival. James White‘s a rather small, independent film, with some rather poignant and intense situations.

James White (Christopher Abbott) is a twenty-something, who’s a layabout, doing nothing with his life. He arrives at the shiva that his mother Gail (Cynthia Nixon) has set up for her husband (not his father). He bumps into Ben (Ron Livingston), who is an editor for the magazine his step father worked for, and says he’ll interview James for a position. James is rather frustrated, so he chases everyone out, and argues with his mother. She’s trying to honor her husband, but James is annoyed, since they’re not Jewish. He storms out, but comes back, saying he needs some time away to get his act back together.

James ends up in Mexico. He befriends a girl on vacation with her parents. Jayne (Makenzie Leigh) takes to him immediately, but while he’s there, his mother calls. James rushes home to find that Gail’s cancer, which was in remission, has returned. He devotes his time to taking care of her, but it’s a losing battle. What is he going to do – face this head on, or run away, like every other difficult thing he’s ever had to do?

I hated James, as a character. Yes, he’s young, and he acts like he’s owed something, but whatever it is, it’s something he will never get. Christopher Abbott’s performance is very good, as we see James go past the breaking point. Cynthia Nixon’s performance is superb. This film snuck up on me, as I drew some parallels with my own life, but fortunately I did not have to endure the severity of James’ suffering.

I strongly recommend this movie.