The onscreen chemistry of lead stars Elle Fanning and Justice Smith, coupled with the emotional weight of the plot makes this movie more than just your average teen romance story.
Netflix’s All The Bright Places succeeds because the two main actors give their all in a tale that says it’s okay to get lost as long as you find your way back.
Directed by Brett Haley and based on the novel of the same name by Jennifer Niven (who also co-wrote the screenplay), it stars Elle Fanning (Maleficent) and Justice Smith (Pokemon: Detective Pikachu) as two teens whose issues make them form a bond that helps them find a means of escape from life’s harsh realities.
Fanning portrays Violet, a girl who is reeling from the death of her sister. One day, she finds herself on the ledge of a bridge, ready to end her life. This is when Finch (Smith) walks into her life, determined to help get out into the world again.
Against her wish, Violet is chosen as Finch’s partner in a school project that requires them to travel to a significant location together and write about their experience.
Isolated from the world around her, Violet gradually opens up to Finch, and the pair finds happiness in each other’s company as their friendship blossoms into teenage romance.
As Violet enjoys her relationship with Finch, she gradually begins to realize that he is hiding a part of himself from her. Around their school, he is seen as a freak because he tends to exhibit odd behavioral traits once in a while (which includes occasional disappearances).
Finch’s intention is to help Violet come out completely from her self-imposed isolation since her sister’s demise shattered her. As she becomes more curious, he struggles to hold on to normalcy as his inner demons threaten to consume his entire being.
Justice Smith is convincing as the young man who puts his own issues aside to help a girl who doesn’t realize just how far gone she is. His selfless act makes the viewer empathize with him when his personal struggles threaten to take him away from everyone who cares about him.
I was impressed by Smith’s dramatic role because in the two movies I saw him act before now, he played comic characters. With All The Bright Places, the actor shows real promise in displaying the range needed to be a complete actor. His earnest performance is the heart of the film.
As praises go, Elle Fanning must take the largest share because she is astonishingly wonderful here. I’ve watched her grow in the industry as a young star, taking on roles that are character-driven and honing her acting skills in the process.
Netflix’s romance drama succeeds in telling its message largely because of Fanning who (in my opinion) gives a career-defining performance here. Her character is well-rounded and the way she portrays a vulnerable girl who misses her sister who was also her best friend will make you want to shed tears. As Violet, she is the soul of the film.
As the movie nears its final act, the viewer gets a foreboding of a heartbreaking finale that may melt even the stoniest of hearts. And again, Fanning’s realistic depiction of a fragile heart that risks companionship and gets healing along the way is something that almost everyone will relate to. She is just awesome in the role!
The build-up of the romance between the two central characters is not the cheesily predictable ones we normally see in romcoms. The viewer knows that they are bound to fall in love sooner or later but the way that it happens is as close to reality as I have ever seen.
As the final credits rolled, I found myself thinking back on what I had just seen. For me, the encounter was bitter-sweet.
All The Bright Places is a powerfully impactful film that educates us on the dangers of leaving those we see as ‘freaks’ in the society to wallow in isolation. It is dangerous and should not be encouraged.
It also teaches that everyone needs help, no matter how much we might think they don’t deserve it. We don’t know what ails our neighbors, so kind words could end up being the deciding factor in life or death situations.
I commend Fanning, Smith, the director, and scriptwriter for a job well done. Two thumbs up!
