By Matthew Lau
All the Bright Places (Netflix) director Brett Haley is efficacious in highlighting some serious life issues that young people encounter in this day and age.
The first third of this slow-paced film puts you under a false pretence that this will be a typical high school rom-com where boy meets girl, boy courts girl, boy fends off school jock, and then boy wins her over in the end. This movie, however, veers towards a darker direction.
Based on the novel with the same title – written by Jennifer Niven – All the Bright Places is a story about two traumatised teenagers trying to overcome grief, mental illnesses, and suicidal tendencies.
Justice Smith delivers his best big-screen performance to date as the bipolar, happy-go-lucky Theodore Finch. Elle Fanning is convincing in her role as the troubled, grief-stricken Violet Markey.
Violet’s parents struggle to connect with their reclusive daughter, who is deeply mourning the death of her sister who was killed in a car crash with Violet as a passenger. Theodore puts on a brave face each day at school – where bullies nickname him “The Freak” – but automatically hits fight or flight mode when overwhelmed by his demons.
Despite not seeing eye-to-eye initially, the main duo develop their relationship whilst working together on a class project. They soon learn about each other’s struggles and develop an appreciation for the smaller gifts of life, building trust along the way.
While this film suffers from some pacing issues, a catchy soundtrack and some genuinely touching moments lifts it when needed.
All the Bright Places is available to stream on Netflix. The film contains some negative effects of mental illness, a suicide, and premarital sexual activity.
Rated M – for a mature audience.