Living 'til the End (2005)

Living ’til the End: Directed by Amanda Goodwin. With Sean Maher, Jaime Ray Newman, Janet Carroll, Stephen Tobolowsky. Told by a psychic of his imminent death on his next birthday, Jack lives out the year, as a hopeless agoraphobic, until he meets a young woman who slowly coaxes him out of his self imposed bondage.

“Jack (Sean Maher) is convinced by his longtime girlfriend, Cynthia (Kathleen Rose Perkins) to visit a psychic for a few laughs. However, once there, no one is giggling at all. The seer correctly states that Cynthia is cheating on Jack, which the lovely young lady admits. But, worse, Mrs. Fortune Teller predicts that Jack will die on or before his next birthday. Horror indeed. Hit with this double whammy, Jack mourns the loss of Cyndy and also becomes an agoraphobic! Fortunately, his job as an estate planner can manage via telephone and computers. Also, quite amusingly, Jack wears a football helmet at all times! His mother (Janet Carroll) is quite upset with this, for she longs for Jack to find a mate, have children, and a normal life. Therefore, she convinces Jack to see a shrink, Dr. Shaw (Stephen Tobolowsky). But, Jack makes very little progress until a beautiful young woman, Audrey (Jaime Ray Newman) moves into his apartment building. She comes calling for Jacku0026#39;s professional advice, for she says she has received news that she is dying. Sad. Nevertheless, it is Audreyu0026#39;s courage and zest for life, in the face of such a death sentence, that brings Jack out of his condition. They even go on a trip to Paris. But, will either Jack or Audrey be able to conquer the predictions of a fortune teller or the medical establishment? Weu0026#39;ll see. First, the two young stars a wonder, despite their lack of fame. Maher is one real looker and Newman is an unusually beautiful redhead. Beyond that, they can act up a storm! The other cast members, especially the more familiar Tobolowksy do fine work, too. Then, even though the sets arenu0026#39;t elaborate or the costumes complicated, the film looks great. Add on an intriguing script, a dash of romance, a pinch of humor, and a secure direction and you have a very good view for most film fans. My only problem was the ending, I didnu0026#39;t like it, although I did appreciate its originality. Those who do love twisted finales will, presumably, embrace it more readily. In short, fans of lesser known cinema should seek this one out and not wait til the u0026quot;endu0026quot; to book a viewing.”