THE STORY – After 17-year-old Ivy beats cancer, she can’t think of anything worse than becoming a Make-A-Wish kid. When her parents send her to a summer camp for kids affected by cancer, Ivy has a hard time adjusting to the rules. But as the weeks progress, she manages to find unexpected friends in an unlikely group of misfits and has a summer she’ll never forget at “Chemo Camp.”
THE CAST – Bella Ramsey, Daniel Quinn-Toye, Ruby Stokes, Earl Cave & Jasmine Elcock
THE TEAM – George Jaques (Director/Writer)
THE RUNNING TIME – 106 Minutes
George Jaques’s sophomore feature is a joyous, youthful, and deeply personal take on the teenage cancer drama. It is hard to depict the lives of people with such life-threatening diseases without making them victims, but Jaques’ latest hits the nail on the head. He celebrates every person for who they are, and cancer is the least interesting part of the campmates as the audience gets to know their unique personalities. “Sunny Dancer” is outrageously funny and undeniably British in its sharp, witty sensibilities.
The film begins at Ivy’s (Bella Ramsey) home as she lies in bed aimlessly. Her concentration is broken as dinner is served. Ivy is an only child to two loving parents, and the banter on display is hilarious as her mum jokingly calls her “bobble head.” The laughs are interrupted by her parents’ suggestion that she attend “chemo camp,” or “freak camp,” as Ivy puts it. She is shocked that her dad had already called to check whether the camp had any spaces left, but she reluctantly agrees to attend the month-long camp.
While driving, Ivy and her parents bop along to songs and even have their own dance routine. As they park up, Ivy’s mum makes it her duty to embarrass her and make an instant impression on the other campers, quipping about packing her condoms and more. Ivy makes an impression just a few days in, calling out a social media influencer for coming to “chemo camp” because she feels sorry for them. She calls her a “grief tourist.” Her outburst is justified and utterly hilarious. Ivy meets her roommate, Ella (Ruby Stokes), a 17-year-old obsessed with losing her virginity, who fawns over 25-year-old camp stud Tristan (Louis Gaunt). Ella introduces Ivy to her longtime “chemo camp” friends: the charming yet emo-looking Ralph (Earl Cave), Archie (Conrad Khan), also known as “rash vest,” the lovable and fun Maisie (Jasmine Elcock), and Jake (Daniel Quinn Toye), who quickly develops feelings for Ivy.
“Sunny Dancer” avoids every cancer cliché in the book and offers a refreshing spin on the often depressing subgenre of teen dramas, where youths grapple with the hand they are dealt. It is a film about joy, which Jaques translates effortlessly to the screen. The characters radiate positive, vibrant energy as they have a blast hanging out together. Sneaking drinks, flirting, and engaging in organized group activities, they become inseparable.
Like the camp counsellors in the film, Jaques is no stranger to dealing with cancer, as his mother’s journey with the disease inspired the making of this film. His approach is effective, creating a comedy that taps into some seriously dark humour and tackles each person’s struggles in a personal way. No one handles every situation the same; everyone has their coping mechanisms, but here it is a judgment-free zone as Jaques showcases the highs of being with people who understand you. There are no apologies or straddling lines; Ivy and her mates have almost no boundaries, which makes the film so much fun.
The writing is razor-sharp and endlessly witty. It is a constant barrage of laughs, and it is hard to stop smirking throughout. The Berlinale screening was a riot, with spectators gasping, cringing, cracking up, and sometimes laughing out of disbelief. There is one joke that Ralph, Earl Cave’s character, delivers that is so dark both the characters and the audience become instantly in sync, bursting out laughing in absolute shock. Get ready for that joke. When you watch it, you will know it.
Bella Ramsey has her Timothée Chalamet moment in “Call Me By Your Name,” once again proving what a talent she is. Ramsey nails both the humour and the emotion, as the film is not afraid to get serious when things become profound. Despite the joy, there are always going to be unbearably dark times, especially when surrounded by cancer survivors. Camp counselling is optional for the kids, but it is an essential avenue for them to talk through their fears with someone trustworthy and understanding. It is hard not to tear up at points as Jaques digs into the spectator’s heart. Also, Neil Patrick Harris adds a transatlantic element to the film, delivering his “How I Met Your Mother”-style humour and shining in moments of profound seriousness, an impressive casting decision that adds another layer to an already fantastic film.
“Sunny Dancer” has an incredibly talented ensemble. The core group of teenagers is fantastic, and they all deliver equal amounts of laughs and memorable moments. Ruby Stokes is perhaps the most compelling, as her character Ella is highly relatable, lovable, and chaotic in good measure. She is a charming and witty individual who is the perfect counterpart to Bella Ramsey’s Ivy. Daniel Quinn Toye is another standout. He and Ivy become close and share intimate scenes that feel unintrusive and real in a completely naturalistic way. That is thanks to great performances and assured direction from Jaques.
As a British person, this film is deeply relatable. The self-deprecating nature of Jaques’ dry humour, the snarky jabs at Ivy’s mates, and the sarcasm all feel authentic. It is evident that, as a writer, Jaques has a top-notch understanding of what it means to be British and the way people behave. He allows his characters the freedom to be themselves with no outside judgment. When people do judge, Ivy and her friends pounce on them, and what ensues is great youthful fun. There is not much to analyse about the filmmaking, as it remains unintrusive and perfectly captures the vibrant, joyous feel of this unique film.
George Jaques, born and raised in London, is a unique talent with something to say. Backed by BFI and Film4, Britain has another rising star in the director’s chair, telling a very personal story that taps into his life experiences as an Englishman and the son of a cancer survivor. “Sunny Dancer” is an excellent comedy starring Bella Ramsey, backed by a fantastic, witty cast of young performers and a few veterans. This is a gem of a film that should be sought out by all.
