The Guitar is a 2008 American drama film directed and co-produced by Amy Redford. It stars Saffron Burrows as a woman who decides to pursue her dreams after being diagnosed with a terminal disease, fired from her job and abandoned by her boyfriend. Plot One morning, "mouse-burger" Melody "Mel" Wilder is diagnosed with laryngeal cancer, then fired from her thankless job and abandoned by her boyfriend. With nothing left to lose, and given only two months to live, she spends her entire life's savings to rent a palatial loft in Greenwich Village. Thinking she'll never have to pay the landlord, she lives off her credit cards, and fills the loft with high-priced products. She seduces both the parcel-delivery man and a pizza delivery girl and teaches herself to play the electric guitar she's romanticized since childhood. These life affirming experiences transform her irrevocably, as she discovers a passion for life and the will to live. Reception , The Guitar holds a 33% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 18 reviews with an average rating of 4.62/10. Cast Saffron Burrows as Melody Wilder Isaach De Bankolé as Roscoe Wasz Paz de la Huerta as Constance 'Cookie' Clemente Mia Kucan as Young Mel Adam Trese as Mr. Laffs Janeane Garofalo as Dr. Murray Elizabeth Marvel as Ma Wilder Bill Camp as Pa Wilder William Leroy as Billy References External links 2008 films 2008 drama films 2008 independent films American drama films Films about cancer American independent films Films about guitars and guitarists Films scored by David Mansfield 2000s English-language films 2000s American films 2008 directorial debut films