Dying Young

Hillary O'Neil, a young woman recovering from a difficult divorce, decides to pursue a career as a nurse. She takes a position caring for Victor Geddes, a wealthy young man suffering from leukemia. As they spend more time together, a deep emotional connection forms between them, complicated by Victor's illness and the prejudices of those around them.

Dying Young received generally negative reviews from critics, who found its plot to be melodramatic and predictable. While Julia Roberts's performance was sometimes singled out for praise, the film as a whole was criticized for its heavy-handed approach to its subject matter and its lack of originality.

• The film is criticized for its overly sentimental and predictable plot.

• Julia Roberts's performance is a bright spot, though unable to save the melodrama.

• The movie struggles to balance its romantic elements with the seriousness of the illness.

Google audience: Audience reviews suggest that while some found the romance compelling, many felt the film was too sappy and emotionally manipulative, and a predictable tearjerker.

Julia Roberts was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama.

Campbell Scott, who plays the terminally ill Victor Geddes, was actually diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in real life shortly after filming, though he had been experiencing symptoms during production.