Maria Sandra Contreras Ughhh this movie mildly depressed me.. and that's a compliment. It struck a personal chord with me, I guess it's because I know someone who has gone through something similar to Rick Gomez's character Henry. Most movies would show you the perspective of the people standing on the sidelines watching someone they know suffer from an illness, but in this movie you're given the perspective of the sick person himself, and it was portrayed realistically, emotionally, and psychologically disturbing. It gives you an insight of what they're going through, how it's affecting their lives, and how it's impacted them physically and mentally. And obviously it's not easy. Throughout the film I was just scared for and at the same time, captivated by Henry's struggling. It hit the feels, really. I'm still thinking about it.I absolutely love the work done here. Rick Gomez and Frank John Hughes did a brilliant job both in writing the story and their performance. My admiration for them only grew even more, truly talented actors and so underrated by the industry. Great film.

marcapano-1 I've always liked both main actors although I didn't know their names. I now have a new respect for them since they not only gave heartbreaking performances but also wrote the film. I had a brother who died horribly in much the same way. I'll give them an A for effort but no film could ever really show the physical ravages of cancer and the true horror and emotionally devastating reality of a lingering death. There is nothing more soul crushingly sad than seeing your mother stroking her comatose sons hair, whispering in his ear to let go. That was my hell to witness. Saying that, I was brought to tears and blown away by the idea of a victim of this insidious disease, whichever variety it is, existing on another plain of thought, working it out in some spiritual dreamlike paranoid but ultimately beneficial delusion. It has made me see my brothers death in a new light. I hope he had a chance to work it out in his own mind before his life ultimately ended. It's been 15 years since my brothers death and not a day goes by that he is not in my thoughts. I miss him. I'm not religious at all and sometimes I envy those people who can believe. I see how it could soften the blow in situations like this. I could be wrong but when it's over maybe I'll see him again and he'll be there to help me down that road, wherever it leads. This film was a beautiful and deeply moving cinematic experience that has brought a lot of emotions to the surface, one which I could have done without seeing but glad I didn't.

Colin Smith ***This review may contain spoilers***The direction and performances in Leave are terrific, even though the underlying premise of the film isn't particularly original. More seasoned viewers may recognize elements from such films as An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge or Jacob's Ladder, where the entire narrative is essentially a waking dream/nightmare or hallucination in the mind of a character who is dying or about to die.But the issue here isn't one of originality. "We tell ourselves stories in order to live," Joan Didion famously said. But we can also tell ourselves stories in order to learn how to die. It may be a story we've heard before, but that doesn't necessarily make it any less powerful.So while I suspected Leave was moving in a (to me) somewhat familiar direction, I found the cumulative effect of the film overwhelming. As both a medical professional and as a private person, I have had to deal with the reality of losing patients and loved ones. But each passing is its own unique journey. Even through great suffering, some do not want to let go---they cling fiercely to what's left of their lives. Who can blame them? But there comes a time when all of us must say goodbye, yet when and how we finally choose to say it is a process as complex as it is unpredictable. Leave asks us to bear witness to one man's coming to terms with this inevitability.I suppose there are people who are made angry or afraid by films that touch them at this primal, emotionally raw level, but essentially they're cutting themselves off from some of the greatest dramas ever written. They should probably stick with safe, unchallenging fare--loud, empty toys like the latest Transformers iteration or paint-by-numbers rom-com. Some can live on a diet of popcorn and little else. Meanwhile, some of us will continue seeking out films such as Leave, which aren't afraid to ask the (literally) ultimate questions that all of us as human beings will eventually have to face.

amandaholly1979 Yet I can't rate it. I can tell you what it isn't...it isn't scary, it isn't suspenseful. What it is in one word...depressing. I'm writing this review in hopes of saving you time and tears. Literal tears. This movie WILL strike a chord with you and nestle into your ever- tightening chest. It isn't that anything that happens in the movie is truly shocking, it's just woefully sad. If you're looking for a psychological thriller, or a who-dun-it, then you need to move along. I literally balled my eyes out. If you want to be moderately confused, and then cry a lot, watch this.