Kidzworld reviews the romantic film Everything, Everything based upon a 2015 novel. Can you relate to it? Do the young, lead actors have chemistry together?
By: Lynn Barker
Just turned 18-year-old Maddy (Amandla Stenberg, Rue in the first Hunger Games film), suffers from a severe immune deficiency disease which makes her live like she’s in a glass bubble. She can’t go outside…ever. Needless to say, when a really cute young guy moves in next door, things get complicated for this sheltered teen.
Keeping their distance at a first meetingCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Lonely Life
18 year Maddy suffers from an immune deficiency disease so severe that she has to live in a sealed home and have her clothes decontaminated. Just a tiny virus or infection could kill her. Her loving doctor mom Pauline (Anika Noni Rose) gives her a beautiful room with big windows, internet, phone etc. but it doesn’t make for a “real” life. Her nurse Carla, who is over when mom is at work, has been in Maddy’s life for 15 years. Only her and her teen daughter Rosa are allowed to come into the house. Maddy’s dad and older bro were killed in a car wreck years ago.
Mom and Maddy talk about OllyCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
A Dream Come True?
Maddy dreams of seeing the ocean one day. It’s almost an obsession. New neighbors move in next door including handsome teen Olly (Nick Robinson). Maddy and Olly's bedroom windows are facing and they begin a texting friendship. She has dreams that she is on a date with him. After begging a lot, Maddy gets Carla to let him visit her if they stay on total opposite sides of the room. They meet “cute” as both are shy but they have a great connection. Finally, Maddy secretly has a date with Olly as he comes over for 4th of July and they kiss. She explains her disease to him but she doesn’t seem sick.
In her imagination Maddy and Olly have a first dateCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
The Great Outdoors
Through her window, Maddy sees Olly's father argue with him and hit him while outside. Without thinking, she rushes outside to see if he is okay. He freaks and tries to get her back inside. Pauline realizes that Maddy has gotten really close to Olly and she fires Carla for letting him inside. Saddened, Maddy decides to risk her health to have a real life, and runs away to Hawaii with Olly. They have a magical time, make love, and the next day Maddy becomes very ill.
Maddy and Olly make their Hawaiian escapeCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Back Home
After a stint in the Maui hospital, Maddy is moved back home. Her mom is kind but thinks she has learned her lesson. She has to tell Olly they can’t be together. His mom, sick of an abusive relationship with Olly’s dad, is moving the family to New York in the middle of the night. After a call from the doctor she had in Maui, Maddy begins to doubt just how really sick she has been all these years. Will she and her mom have a confrontation? Will Maddy decide to live a real life and reunite with Olly?
Mom is angry at Carla for letting Olly in the houseCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Wrapping Up
Now 18-year-old Amandla Stenberg played the much-loved character Rue in The Hunger Games film when she was much younger. 22-year-old Nick Robinson was the older bro in Jurassic World and was in The 5th Wave and The Kings of Summer. The two young actors have great chemistry and do a very believable job as teens in love.
Romance in HawaiiCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
The “twist” in the story is kind of predictable but still makes for some nice dramatic moments that lead to a happy ending. This is a great date movie for the romantic at heart and also makes anyone appreciate enjoying a “normal” life. Life and love are gifts and seeing Maddy’s story affirms that.
That first kissCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Amandla also sings the nice ballad “Let My Baby Stay” and songs “How Did We” by Skylar Stecker and “Stay” by Zedd and Alessia Cara are included in a really nice soundtrack from the film.
Nurse Carla and Maddy are palsCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
The movie might have used a bit more humor and a less predictable twist but it makes for a very romantic and relatable trip to the movies for you and your BFFs or that hot date. For teens and tweens we go four stars.
Everything, Everything Movie Rating:
Everything, Everything PosterCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Everything, Everything is in theaters now!
Have Your Say
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