The sensitive treatment here by filmmakers Malika Zouhali-Worrall and David Osit eventually engages viewer empathy over what at first seems a mystifying reaction to wrenching heartache. At the age of one, Colorado child Joel Green was diagnosed with terminal cancer and malignant brain tumors. But his condition stabilizes for years, although the Greens still live under the shadow of his impending death. In addition to their Christian faith, the household finds untypical solace in father Ryan Green's livelihood as a designer of video games. With his team's cooperation, Green creates That Dragon, Cancer, a 3D game that depicts Joel's struggle in metaphorical terms for users of joysticks and keyboards. What initially seems more like an esoteric or even myopic family-bonding exercise in the face of unimaginable pain finally comes to life at a Seattle gaming expo, where That Dragon, Cancer moves to tears gamers who came for adventure and first-person shooters. Whether That Dragon, Cancer should be considered a “game” or highly personal interactive video art/therapy is a discussion for video game columnists, but the film scores high marks for showing a father and mother's unique paths of grief and transcendence. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)
Thank You for Playing
(2015) 80 min. DVD: $300. DRA. Film Platform (avail. from www.filmplatform.net). PPR. Volume 32, Issue 2
Thank You for Playing
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: