Before I Fall is the latest story to follow suit. It's not enough to make this trifle more than what it is, but we're very likely to see bigger and better things from Russo-Young, Deutch and Sage.įilms based on novelizations have been around since almost the beginning of cinema. In the end, I was somewhat touched by the surprise twist and Deutch's ability to make you feel something just by the quality of her close-ups.
There's a hypnotic grace to her work which merits further attention. Russo-Young tries hard to achieve a style reminiscent of Fiona Apple's "Criminal" video, especially when our BFFs all cuddle together at the party. Logan Miller (THE WALKING DEAD, TAKE ME TO THE RIVER) also brings a nice warmth to his role as the perfect guy that Sam keeps snubbing. She and Deutch both transcend the severe limitations of their roles and display a sweet naturalism together. Her second in command, played by Halston Sage, has a sly mouth and sexy energy that feels like the end result of Gina Gershon licking Rachel McAdams up and down. Deutch has an adorable self-possessed nature that cuts through despite her character's hideous flaws.
You see, rather than finding a way to overcome mental illness and stake your claim in this world like its predecessor did so wonderfully, BEFORE I FALL settles for trite Hallmark sentiments such as "Smile more" or "Be a little nicer, you garbage person!" In MEAN GIRLS and HEATHERS, you loved to hate those kids. Tonally, the film reminds me of THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER, but what's missing is passion, depth and complexity. Shot in British Columbia by cinematographer Michael Fimognari, the film looks gorgeous as the camera whirls and swirls around and editor Joe Landauer does his best to keep things humming along despite the repetitive nature of the story. Can she prevent the accident from happening? What needs to change? The bulk of this silly yet very well-made film tries to answer those questions. Sam dies and wakes up on the very same morning as at the beginning of the film, forced to relive this fateful day over and over again. On their way home from a party in which they and their fellow students make out, puke, and further humiliate poor Juliet, Sam and her friends get into a terrible accident. And just like that, Sam and her friends go from being horny, self-absorbed, selfie-obsessed narcissists to the MEANEST of the MEAN GIRLS. You know she's a pariah because she has unkempt hair and wears really big sweaters.
Jesus, YA writers! Isn't high school torture enough without having to make up some fake event to give kids even more anxiety?!!!Ĭracks soon show in Sam's seemingly happy-go-lucky clique when they pick on the "weird" student, Juliet (Elena Kampouris, who must, must be the missing Fanning child, right?). You see, they're all caught up in Cupid Day, some nonsensical ritual which takes place two days before Valentine's Day wherein roses get passed out by "student angels" to the most popular girls in school. She carpools to school with her BFFs, all of whom love to sway their heads to the latest rap tracks while talking about boys, sex, and sex with boys. Those Tremblays are forming a dynasty and nobody's talking about it!! She wakes up in her incredible suburban home, greets her gorgeous mom (Jennifer Beals), kind father (Nicholos Lea) and adorable little sister, played by Erica Tremblay, whose brother Jacob starred in ROOM. Zooey Deutch, so winning in EVERYBODY WANTS SOME and daughter to Lea Thompson and director Howard Deutch (PRETTY IN PINK), plays Sam, who has a seemingly perfect life. Unless you're a teenager with a few life lessons to learn or if you're currently raising one, then watch GROUNDHOG DAY or EDGE OF TOMORROW again, which this film loosely resembles, except without the respective humor or excitement. I am not even remotely close to being the target audience for director Ry Russo-Young's BEFORE I FALL, with a screenplay by Maria Magenta (the excellent The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love) based on the Young Adult novel by Lauren Oliver. My Review of BEFORE I FALL (2 1/2 Stars)
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