Team PCheng

“There are bright places, even in dark times”

Not your typical teen romance flick, as the film deals heavily with themes of grief, mental illness and suicide, so much so that the end credits include a link-www.allthebrightplacesfilm.info which has resources for those strugling with these conditions. There is even a scene in the movie which shows a help group for teenagers, and while this is not something out of the ordinary as many films have depicted similar scenes but what made me sad was the script and how those attending the session, teenagers with seemingly bright futures were discussing their mental conditions, a lot of terminologies were thrown around but my take away was how much these mental illnesses have reached our young, our supposed future and hope and I can’t help but feel this ache in my heart. There is still much to do when it comes to mental illness and when it comes to getting those inflected the help that they need. Movies/books like “All the Bright Places” are a good conversation started.

Theodore Finch (Justice Smith) meeets Violet Markey (Ellie Fanning) as she is standing on the ledge of a bridge, he asks her to step back. He then helps her overcome her grief for her sister, who recently passed.

Their friendship blossoms into a beautiful relationship (which has also much to do with the film’s beautiful cinematography) -with Violet slowly coming to terms with her loss but by then Finch’s demons have caught up to him. Demons in the form of a traumatic past, which may have included physical abuse from his father. Probably the book will have more clues.

Adapted from the novel by Jennifer Niven, the film is progressive as it deals with themes on mental illness, which is only slowly getting its much needed attention, (although it is still considered taboo in certain, more traditional communities) in such a delicate way. Both Fanning and Smith bring the same delicate approach in their portrayal of these characters. Fans of the book have said that the book is much better but since I haven’t read it yet, I can only assume as much. Perhaps they could have given Finch’s story more time and depth. Still, a step forward in the conversation about mental illness is always a step forward in the right direction.

Fair warning, this may get you in an emotional mood, crying may be induced.

Have tissues ready.