Friday, February 16, 2018

EVERYTHING EVERYTHING (2017)



Directed By: Stella Meghie 
Written By: J. Mills Goodloe 
Based on the Novel By: Nicola Yoon 
Cinematography By: Igor Jadue-lillo 
Editor: Nancy Richardson 


Cast: Amandla Stenberg, Anika Noni Rose, Nick Robinson, Ana De La Reguera, Taylor Hickson, Francoise Yip 


A 17 year old girl named Madeline Whittier has a rare disease that causes her to have to stay indoors 24/7 with her filtered air. Her whole life is basically books, her mom, and Carla(her nurse). One day, a moving truck pulls in next door. There she sees Olly. Olly Bright is Maddy's new neighbor. They get to know each other through emails. The more they get to know each other, the more they fall in love. Olly starts to make Maddy realize that she isn't really living. This starts the adventures of Maddy's new life.

This is a teen romance film. Here at least it feels natural and doesn't go overboard where it becomes sickening. While there is an urgency, it helps lend itself to when you are a teenager. It having much patience and being sensitive to your surroundings and those around you. So that even when it comes to attraction it feels like love it can be a matter of Obsession. Though this movie doesn't venture that far. Here it is more presented with a young lady who is sheltered and. Arely knows of the outside world because of her disease and doesn't know how much time she has.

Now there could be an argument that anyone reasonably attractive who is new to her world she would find romance if they were willing to return her feelings, but here she has met her soulmate. Though the story is life or death the film isn't pushed to the limit where we are reminded of this every five minutes.

The film is actually filmed beautifully and is full of color all around that can be transfixing. The film is creative In how they make the main Characters text conversations into more romantic locales for meet and greets. Solving the problem of how very often it's hard to get emotional or interest out of The Audience watching characters type or look and read screens.

Now of course the film is predictable. So there are no real surprises even though at times it tries. No matter how some things might not be believable (like the boy's abusive father storyline) All of the performances are on point. As the teenagers are more emotional and the adults play their roles more clinical.

Not too much to say when it comes to this film. What you see is what you get. It stays rather Uncomplicated. The film involves an interracial romance that is treated as an Earnest romance and not made any sort of big deal. It's nice to watch a film Where that isn't the main focus of the relationship or people's reactions to it. As the romance keeps an innocence so that it feels more like a young adult novel it story. Where you can understand each other's fascination and feelings for one another.

The film doesn't have a big cast. So we can focus on the main story of the lovers with very few distractions. Though his story seems more attached to add some drama from his side of the story and set up more of the third act action.

Watching this movie one can't help but be reminded of Paula Abdul's HUSH, HUSH music video and song. Whose video was already a remake based off of the movie REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE. There movie gives you the same kind of feeling and emotion.

The film offers a third act twist that is so ridiculous that you can't help but see it coming if you are paying attention.

The problems seems to try to have a dramatic basis but seem more convenient. As with how the love story moves along forward. As the film is another that theorizes for it's teen audience that someone's First love is their true love and soulmate. Just because you experience things together first.

Amandla Stenberg in one of her first leading roles and killing it. Wears light colors throughout the film. While her male co-star wears dark. Which the film seems to try and make it seem Like it is their spirits to highlight and contrast one another.

The performances are what get you to believe this hard to swallow film. As the film Offers some basic storytelling but you believe enough. He filmmakers try to make everything flow and have a kind of flavor


Grade: C+

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