One major flaw with dying is that the event is a compelling reason to throw a party in your own honor–one to which your closest friends are invited–but you can’t attend. Take a lesson from these flicks: Cheat death of its grim countenance and plan your own funeral.
Soft Fruit (1999)-A mother gathers her children for a week-long vacation
beside her deathbed. Winner of a Sundance Audience Award, this Aussie film has
a touching, drug-induced scene where the dying mom is kidnapped by her gentle-hearted,
ex-con son. Cranked on painkillers, he takes her to fulfill her lifelong wish
of visiting the seaside. Dark, funny, sweet, and complicated.
It’s My Party (1996)–Falling victim to the ill effects of AIDS, Nick
(Eric Roberts) watches as his lover turns a cold shoulder to him and his flaming
friends try to maintain an upbeat facade. On the eve of his own suicide, the
ever-jocular Nick throws himself one last homofest.
Harold and Maude (1972)—Originally the 20-minute thesis of
a UCLA film student, this film shadows a pair of spring-and-autumn lovers. With
deadpan seriousness, 20-year-old Harold repeatedly botches his suicide efforts,
while his wrinkly lover bounds through the last days of her life.