Ways to Live Forever

Sam Wise has always been a boy with a curious mind, but not just because he loves learning about the world around him – it's because, in his own words, he's trying to 'live forever'. At 10 years old, Sam's life is already overshadowed by the harsh reality that he's battling leukemia, a disease that forces grown men to confront the inevitable: their own mortality. Sam's desire to know 'the facts' – not just the surface-level information, but the real, raw, honest truth about the world and its mysteries – becomes an all-consuming obsession. He devours books on UFOs, horror movies, airships, ghosts, and scientists, seeking answers to all the questions that nobody will answer him directly. His parents, though well-intentioned, find themselves at a loss for words when Sam asks about the 'good stuff'. His friends are equally baffled, often resorting to simplistic explanations that only serve to heighten Sam's frustration. But there's one question that lingers above the rest, casting a shadow over everything else: what does it feel like to die? Sam is desperate for answers, but the adults in his life are loath to discuss such morbid topics. It's as if the very idea of mortality has become a taboo subject, something to be tiptoed around with kid gloves. Sam, however, will not be silenced. It's here that he finds his confidant, George, an eccentric scientist who becomes a fountain of knowledge and, importantly, a friend. George's willingness to engage in unflinching – if not unsolicited – discussions about the 'big questions' sends Sam into raptures. Through George, Sam begins to see the world in a new light, one where death is not just a morbid inevitability, but a fundamental part of the natural order. As the story progresses, we're introduced to the Wise family: a tight-knit unit that's struggling to cope with the weight of Sam's illness. His mother, Susan, does her best to provide emotional support, but she's clearly at her wit's end – trying to balance the demands of parenting with the crushing worry that her child might not survive to adulthood. Sam's father, meanwhile, is more taciturn, a man trying to hold it together with a veneer of stoicism. Through this fragmented narrative, director Michael Apted weaves a poignant and unflinching portrayal of family, love, and loss. As we're drawn into the Wise's world, we come to see that the 'facts' Sam's so desperate to learn are, in reality, the only way he can understand – and come to terms with – his own mortality. As George and Sam delve deeper into the mysteries of life and death, they're faced with some difficult truths: that science, even with all its wonders, can't provide the answers we so desperately seek. And that, ultimately, it's not the 'facts' that'll carry us through the darkest of times, but the love and support of those around us. The relationship between George and Sam is a highlight of the film – a testament to the power of friendship and mentorship in times of need. Played with warmth and wit by Albus Dumbledore-esque actor Ben Chaplin, George is a beacon of hope in a world that often seems overwhelmingly bleak. As the story unfolds, his bond with Sam deepens, and we come to see that the real 'facts' he's teaching aren't about the mysteries of the universe, but about the value of living in the present moment. Ways to Live Forever is a film about facing the unknown with courage, a testament to the human spirit in the face of adversity. As Sam navigates the treacherous waters of childhood, he comes to understand that the 'facts' he's so obsessed with are, in reality, just a small part of a much bigger, more beautiful picture.