By Grace Dietz
Copy Editor
Netflix’s “All the Bright Places” shows viewers that there is still light to be found in the darkest of times. Although life drags people down, it can also make people feel more alive than ever before.
“All the Bright Places” is one of the best films of 2020 so far, as it successfully depicts the downsides of life and what it means to live with suicidal tendencies and depression. The realistic and powerful acting makes the film genuine and raw, adding to the effect that the mention of suicide has on the film.
Released on February 28, “All the Bright Places” was directed by Brett Haley and written by Jennifer Niven and Liz Hannah. The movie is based on a novel of the same name by Niven. It stars Elle Fanning as Violet Markey and Justice Smith as Theodore Finch.
The film tells the story of teenagers Violet and Theodore as they navigate the hardships of life and high school in Indiana. Markey recently lost her sister from a car crash, and Finch is dealing with suicidal tendencies, and is in danger of not graduating high school. The two get to know each other during a school project and almost instantly fall for each other. In order for their relationship to survive, they have to learn how to lean on each other and help each other out of the darkness.
The acting from Fanning and Smith is one of the best features of “All the Bright Places,” as it is realistic and unique. The actors really become their characters and put everything on the line in order to make their characters come to life. The amazing soundtrack also helps exemplify the character’s emotions, as it coincides perfectly with each scene and adds to the mood of the film. The acting in this movie cannot be compared to any other movie, and should not be overlooked.
As Violet suffers from survivor’s guilt from her sister’s death and Theodore suffers from suicidal thoughts, there is a heavy emphasis on mental health in this film. Both the teenagers suffer with suicidal thoughts, as Theodore tries to drown himself and Violet stands on the edge of a bridge, ready to jump. By incorporating this aspect of suicide and mental health into the film, viewers are able to see the toll that high school and life takes on teenagers, making the movie raw and genuine. The film acts as a call for action for people with suicidal tendencies to seek help.
The movie explores the details and romance between two high school teenagers as they help each other feel “normal.” By incorporating two teenagers that have substantial mental health issues, the film is able to show just how important high school relationships can be for some teenagers, as their significant others can make them feel more alive than ever. Also, Theodore completely understands and pushes Violet for the better, as he even bikes hundreds of miles with her because she is afraid of cars. The movie is a touching, powerful film about finding love in even the most unconventional of ways.
“All the Bright Places” is easy to understand and follow, as the plot flows extremely well. This might be attributed to the fact that the film’s screenplay is based off of the novel, so the flow of it is thought out perfectly. The easy-to-follow plot also helps viewers see the progression from bad times to happy times, and everything in between. This makes the film have a certain rhythm that is unmatched to any other movie released in the last decade.
Although many movies have been made regarding suicide and mental health issues in the past, “All the Bright Places” is one of the best yet. The film has the ability to really show the progression from feeling absolutely hopeless to feeling genuinely happy. In one scene where Violet and Theodore are riding a rollercoaster, viewers can see the genuine cheer and happiness that comes over Violet’s face, making the film seem raw and empowering viewers. The unique screenplay is extremely realistic and outstandingly detail-oriented, as the writers thought of every little thing that the movie absolutely needed to have. All in all, the film shows viewers that anyone can feel happiness and find the light in life.
“All the Bright Places” is a must-watch film that shows the effects that the negatives of life have on teenagers and their mental health. This call-for-action movie solidifies the idea that love and friendship can often make a person feel more alive than ever before.
Released on February 28, “All the Bright Places” is currently available on Netflix.
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