Tessa Scott

I want to live until I die. No more, no less.

Tessa Scott

Now Is Good, Reelive
Tessa Scott

Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith.

Tessa Scott

Now Is Good, Reelive
Tessa Scott

I just want to be normal. And have a normal life.

Tessa Scott

Now Is Good, Reelive
Tessa Scott

You’ll never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.

Tessa Scott

Now Is Good, Reelive
Tessa Scott

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.

Tessa Scott

Now Is Good, Reelive
Tessa Scott

If I don’t do it now, then when will I ever do it?

Tessa Scott

Now Is Good, Reelive
Tessa Scott

You have to find your own way to say goodbye.

Tessa Scott

Now Is Good, Reelive
Tessa Scott

Nothing is certain in this world, only the present moment.

Tessa Scott

Now Is Good, Reelive
Tessa Scott

I want to see you happy, even when I’m not here.

Tessa Scott

Now Is Good, Reelive
Tessa Scott

You can’t let fear stop you from living.

Tessa Scott

Now Is Good, Reelive
Tessa Scott

We all have an expiration date; it should not stop us from living.

Tessa Scott

Now Is Good, Reelive
Tessa Scott

Sometimes the most hard-fought battles lead to the most unforgettable victories.

Tessa Scott

Now Is Good, Reelive
Tessa Scott

Love is not about how long you have; it’s about how deeply you feel.

Tessa Scott

Now Is Good, Reelive
Tessa Scott

It’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.

Tessa Scott

Now Is Good, Reelive
Tessa Scott

Grief is a price we pay for love.

Tessa Scott

Now Is Good, Reelive
Tessa Scott

I am more than my illness; I am my dreams and my hopes.

Tessa Scott

Now Is Good, Reelive
Tessa Scott

You matter to me; your happiness means the world to me.

Tessa Scott

Now Is Good, Reelive
Tessa Scott

I believe the moments we share define who we are.

Tessa Scott

Now Is Good, Reelive
Tessa Scott

In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.

Tessa Scott

Now Is Good, Reelive
Tessa Scott

I dream of a world where my life doesn't end in pain.

Tessa Scott

Now Is Good, Reelive
Tessa Scott

Life is a series of moments; let them be beautiful.

Tessa Scott

Now Is Good, Reelive
Tessa Scott

What matters is not how you die, but how you lived.

Tessa Scott

Now Is Good, Reelive

Waving Flag

Waving Flag by K'naan, Played during a montage of Tessa's adventures

I Will Always Love You

I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston, Played during a pivotal emotional scene

Fix You

Fix You by Coldplay, Used in a touching moment of reflection


Download App

Tessa's Diagnosis

In the beginning, we learn about Tessa's leukemia diagnosis. This moment is filled with heavy emotion as Tessa confronts the reality of her illness. The audience feels her pain and fear as she realizes her life will never be the same. The scenes leading up to this show her normal life, which makes this moment hit even harder.

Context: Tessa is a teenager who thought she had her entire future ahead of her, but the harsh reality of her illness dramatically shifts her perspective as she comes to terms with her limited time.

Feeling Alive

Tessa decides to take control of her life and create a bucket list of things she wants to do before she dies. This moment symbolizes her determination and desire to experience life fully, and it shifts the movie's tone from despair to hope. The audience is inspired by her bravery.

Context: After her diagnosis, Tessa seeks to live life on her own terms, showing a rebellious and adventurous side despite her sickness.

The First Kiss

Tessa shares her first kiss with Adam in a touching scene filled with uncertainty and excitement. The tension builds as they both lean in, and when they finally connect, it’s a moment of pure joy amidst all the sadness surrounding her illness.

Context: This moment highlights Tessa's shifting priorities as she finds love and companionship even in the face of her fate.

The Beach Trip

Tessa visits the beach with Adam and her family. As the waves crash and the sun sets, there’s a sense of peace and serenity. It's a beautiful escape that reflects Tessa's desire to enjoy simple pleasures. This moment encapsulates the beauty of living in the present.

Context: This outing shows the strength of her relationships and the fleeting nature of joy, creating a bittersweet atmosphere.

Confronting Her Father

Tessa has a heated argument with her father, expressing her anger and confusion about her illness. This pivotal moment allows her to voice her frustrations and is a crucial step toward healing their relationship. Both characters reveal their vulnerabilities.

Context: Tessa's relationship with her father is strained due to his protective nature, and this confrontation helps to deepen their understanding of each other.

The Hospital Visit

Tessa is seen receiving treatment in the hospital, dealing with the physical and emotional pain of her condition. The visuals focus on her weary face as she struggles but fights the tears, making viewers feel her suffering deeply.

Context: This scene starkly contrasts Tessa's adventurous spirit and the harsh reality of her illness.

Planning the Future

Tessa and Adam plan their future together, allowing for a moment of hope and dreaming. They share laughs and aspirations, showing the innocence of youth and the bittersweetness of their circumstances.

Context: Despite the looming shadow of Tessa's disease, this moment emphasizes the power of love and hope.

The Last Day

Tessa chooses to spend her last day on her own terms, surrounded by loved ones. The emotional weight is palpable as everyone reminisces and shares stories, making it a heartwarming yet tragic farewell.

Context: This scene brings the audience to terms with the reality of loss, highlighting the importance of love and memories.

Letting Go

In a deeply emotional farewell with Adam, Tessa lets him know that she loves him and encourages him to live his life fully after she's gone. The tears flow as their love story comes to a painful yet heartfelt end.

Context: This moment encapsulates the theme of letting go and the impact of love, as it shows how Tessa is caring for Adam's future even in her final moments.

Flashback to Happiness

There’s a montage of Tessa's happiest moments, filled with laughter and joy, juxtaposed with scenes of her illness. It serves as a reminder of what she has lost and what life can still be.

Context: This scene highlights the concept of cherishing memories and the importance of living life fully, despite its challenges.

The Surprise Party

Tessa is surprised by her friends throwing her a party. This moment is filled with joy and happiness, reflecting her loved ones' desire to celebrate her life rather than her illness.

Context: The struggle between celebrations and reality is a recurring theme, showcasing the importance of community and friendship.

The Revelation

Tessa reveals her terminal condition to Adam. The moment is heart-wrenching as Adam struggles with the news, and the raw emotion shared between them is both devastating and beautiful.

Context: This revelation cracks open their relationship further but also solidifies their bond, showing how love can persevere despite the toughest challenges.

The Evening Walk

Tessa goes for a peaceful evening walk with her mother, discussing dreams and fears. Their conversation is intimate and touching, portraying the depth of their relationship and the acceptance of loss.

Context: This just highlights the familial bonds and emotional turmoil, bridging the gaps of misunderstanding.

Embracing the Pain

Tessa finally embraces her illness, showing the audience her acceptance and strength. This pivotal moment is about facing her fate with courage and resilience, taking control of her narrative.

Context: The scene becomes a turning point, signaling a shift from fighting the inevitable to finding peace.

The Tearful Goodbye

Tessa says goodbye to her family and friends, sharing heartfelt messages. The tears flow freely as everyone comes together, celebrating her life while mourning her departure.

Context: This climactic farewell illustrates the profound impact Tessa has had on everyone and the nature of love and loss.

Moments of Reflection

Tessa reflects on her life while watching the sunset, contemplating her journey and the memories she created. This introspective moment allows audiences to connect deeply with her emotions.

Context: The sunset symbolizes the end of her journey, offering a beautiful parallel to life, love, and mortality.

The Final Illness Scene

As Tessa’s condition worsens, she struggles to stay upbeat for those around her. This heart-wrenching scene showcases her bravery and the toll her illness takes, evoking tears from viewers.

Context: This moment encapsulates the pain of dying while trying to comfort loved ones.

Tessa's Legacy

After Tessa's passing, her friends gather to remember her. They share stories and celebrate her life, ensuring that her memory lives on. This moment is both sad and uplifting.

Context: This scene wraps up the film by encapsulating the impact of Tessa on those around her; her spirit lingers through their shared memories.

The Letter

In a touching storyline, Tessa leaves letters for her loved ones, sharing her thoughts and wishes for them. This moment captures her enduring love even in death, leaving viewers feeling a mix of sadness and warmth.

Context: The letters become a symbol of hope and a way for Tessa to guide her loved ones through their lives after her departure.

The Last Wish

Tessa's last wish to have a simple ceremony with her family brings a sense of closure. As the family gathers, there's a moment of serene acceptance and love that showcases how deeply they care.

Context: This end scene signifies the completion of Tessa's journey, emphasizing the value of family and love in life.

Cherishing Memories

Tessa’s friends and family come together to create a scrapbook of memories they shared with her. The project underscores the theme of memory and love enduring even after loss.

Context: This heartwarming act symbolizes how Tessa’s light continues to shine in their lives, echoing the film’s themes of love and remembrance.


Download App

Unexpected Casting Change

Actress Dakota Fanning was the last choice for the role of Tessa, as the filmmakers initially cast another high-profile actress who later dropped out.

Why it matters: Fanning's casting brought a fresh and authentic emotional depth to Tessa, creating a strong connection with the audience and revealing her talent at a pivotal point in her career.

Improvised Lines

Many of Tessa's monologues were improvised by Dakota Fanning during filming, as she felt they resonated more authentically with her character's emotions.

Why it matters: This spontaneity enhanced the credibility of the character's journey and added layers of realism to Tessa's struggle, making poignant moments feel even more genuine.

Filming Locations

The film was shot in various locations around the UK, with key scenes filmed in Brighton, where the vibrant seaside atmosphere contrasted with Tessa's somber story.

Why it matters: These contrasting settings underscored Tessa's internal conflict and framed her fight for life against a backdrop of lively yet fleeting happiness.

Director's Vision

Director Ol Parker aimed to portray a raw and honest representation of illness and youth, distancing the film from typical cancer narratives.

Why it matters: This alternate approach influenced the film's pacing and tone, making it resonate with viewers who found the story relatable and impactful beyond its genre.

Emotional Chemistry

Dakota Fanning and Jeremy Irvine (who played Adam) spent time together off-screen to build their on-screen chemistry, including going to a concert.

Why it matters: This effort enhanced their romantic relationship's authenticity in pivotal scenes, allowing audiences to invest more deeply in their love story.

Soundtrack Influence

The film's soundtrack features a variety of indie and alternative tracks that were handpicked to elevate moments of joy and sorrow.

Why it matters: The music works as an emotional guide for the audience, enhancing the impact of key scenes and deepening viewer engagement with Tessa’s journey.

Cinematic Techniques

The film employs a range of visual techniques, including close-ups and natural lighting, to create an intimate viewing experience.

Why it matters: These choices strengthened the emotional connection between the audience and Tessa, allowing viewers to perceive her struggles more viscerally.

Support From Cancer Organizations

The production team collaborated with various cancer organizations to ensure an accurate portrayal of Tessa's experience.

Why it matters: This collaboration added authenticity to the film and valuable insights, potentially offering comfort and understanding to those facing similar struggles.

A Family Matter

Dakota Fanning's real-life relationship with her sister inspired some scenes about familial connections in the film.

Why it matters: This personal touch lent additional authenticity to Tessa's relationship with her family, presenting a multi-dimensional view of how illness affects loved ones.

Physical Representation of Illness

Fanning underwent a physical transformation for the role, losing a significant amount of weight to depict Tessa's illness more realistically.

Why it matters: This change in appearance enhanced the believability of Tessa's condition, leading audiences to feel her struggle more intensely.

Symbolism of the 'Bucket List'

The film's focus on Tessa's 'bucket list' was initially seen as a cliché, but Fanning and Parker worked to infuse it with personal significance and depth.

Why it matters: By transforming a common trope into a unique narrative tool, they created a poignant exploration of youth, desire, and mortality, resonating deeply with viewers.

On-Screen Family Dynamics

The actors portraying Tessa's parents took part in immersive workshops to build their character dynamics and familial tension.

Why it matters: These workshops created a more nuanced family dynamic, making their struggles with Tessa's illness feel real and relatable to the audience.

Filming Duration

Production lasted a shorter time than anticipated due to Fanning’s school commitments, necessitating quick adaptations.

Why it matters: This pressure resulted in intense shooting days, contributing to an authentic urgency in performances due to the emotional stakes being high.

Cameo Appearances

Several small roles in the film were filled by friends of the cast and crew, aiming to create a familiar and warm atmosphere.

Why it matters: These authentic performances added subtle layers of emotional depth and texture to the film, enriching the tapestry of Tessa’s world.

Character Depth Through Symbols

Parker encouraged actors to identify and explore personal symbols related to their characters, leading to more profound connections to the narrative.

Why it matters: This creative exploration added layers of meaning to the characters, making them more relatable and their experiences more impactful.

Tessa's Room Design

The look and layout of Tessa's bedroom were carefully designed to reflect her personality and her battle with cancer.

Why it matters: The aesthetics of her room mirrored her journey, making it a visual representation of resilience against her illness and personal growth.

Rejected Script Edits

Several emotional scenes were initially cut from the script but were reinstated after the team felt they added necessary tension to Tessa’s story.

Why it matters: These scenes enriched the narrative flow and elevated the emotional stakes, providing a fuller understanding of Tessa's experiences.

Merchandise Development

A line of merchandise, including bracelets with quotes from the film, was developed to promote the themes of strength and resilience.

Why it matters: This strategy helped the film's message resonate beyond the screen, fostering a community among fans sharing similar experiences.

Early Screening Feedback

Initial screenings revealed audiences were particularly affected by a scene that wasn’t originally as impactful during filming.

Why it matters: This feedback led to adjustments in editing that enhanced the emotional power of the scene in the final cut, showcasing the importance of audience reactions in shaping a film.

Cinematography Techniques

Cinematographer Simon Dennis utilized a handheld camera approach to create a more personal and immersive viewer experience.

Why it matters: The fluid motion brought audiences closer to Tessa's emotional rollercoaster, intensifying the storytelling's emotional weight.

Symbolism of Light

Parker used lighting to symbolize Tessa’s emotional journey, with darker tones during moments of despair and brighter tones during her joyous memories.

Why it matters: This visual cue deepened the impact of her journey, allowing viewers to feel the contrasts between hope and hopelessness throughout the film.

Final Scene's Emotional Weight

The final scene was filmed towards the end of production, allowing actors to harness their built-up emotions from the entire shoot.

Why it matters: This approach enriched the scene with authenticity, making it a powerful culmination of Tessa’s journey and leaving audiences profoundly touched.

Underlying Messages About Life

Throughout filming, the cast and crew engaged in discussions about the philosophical themes presented in the narrative.

Why it matters: These conversations informed their performances and creative decisions, adding a layer of depth that resonates with viewers on various levels.


Download App

The Social Media App for Movie & TV Enthusiasts
👉 Reelive App 👈

No mods, no censorship—just a space to relive epic movie moments. Like Reddit, but made for movie lovers.

Download App

Creed

Rushmore

The Dinner Game