The latest teen novel turned feature film has arrived in the form of Everything Everything. This teen love story/drama introduces us to Maddy (Amandla Stenberg) a young girl who has never left her house in her entire 17 years due to rare immune disease. If she goes outside she could die since her body lacks the immunities everyone else is blessed with. She spends her days reading and writing snarky reviews of classic literature and building fairly elaborate architecture models where she daydreams herself inside of. Cared for by her mom and a nurse Maddy's world is pretty small until one day when Olly (Nick Robinson) moves in next door. Seeing her through her bedroom window Nick is interested in Maddy even before he knows her. From that moment the two teens are drawn to each other and thus a strong relationship takes form. With the two lovers determined to be together, they are willing to risk everything for even a short bit of happiness together even if it means the end of Maddy.
I have to say that I surprisingly liked this one. I was going in expecting an over the top silly teen drama in the same vein as The Boy In The Plastic Bubble or something slightly less silly as Bubble Boy. What I got was a film with a lot of heart. These kids seem to really think through some of these issues and while all of their actions are not perfect they attack their problem from a much more thought out approach that just throwing caution to the wind. Their romance builds at just the right speed to make it feel real on screen and these two actors are just adorable together. Stenberg is really proving herself to be a strong young acting force and has come a long way from the innocent character of Rue we all saw her as in The Hunger Games. Nick is sure to make a name for himself in the hearts of young teen girls with his on-screen swagger. I would like to give another shout out to Maddy's mom Pauline (Anika Noni Rose) she is the solid protective and loving force in the film, playing not just the role of a single parent after the death of her husband and son but also serving as Maddy's doctor. With the combination of the way these characters work on screen the story just really feels real. I am not sure what it is about it, but it just works. These guys mesh together so well. Our two leads living lives where they are both stuck in their proverbial ruts. Maddy a prisoner to her illness and Olly a prisoner to his dysfunctional family. Even Maddy's mom is stuck to a certain degree, isolating herself and pausing her life to care for her daughter 100% when she is not at work. They are all just trying to get by, but they get by better together.
I feel like fans of the book should be pleased with the overall outcome of this film. Director Stella Meghie has really brought a sweet film to the table with just the right amounts of humor, romance, and tug-at-your-heartstring moments that there is a little something for everyone here. I am not gonna lie, I wish more book to movie adaptations would make this smooth of a transition.Everything Everything scores a solid B+ plus us here at HFF. It is a great movie to check out this weekend and we think you should give this one a go.
Everything Everything hits theaters everywhere May 19th.