If I Stay
Writers: Shauna Cross, based on the novel by Gayle Forman
Starring: Chloe Grace Moretz (Mia Hall), Mireille Enos (Kat), Jamie Blackley (Adam), Joshua Leonard (Denny), Liana Liberato (Kim), Stacy Keach (Gramps), Gabrielle Rose (Gran), Jakob Davies (Teddy), Ali Milner (Liz), and Chelah Horsdal (Liddy).
The film starts off Portland, Oregon with Mia Hall (Chloe Grace Moretz) giving details about her life, in the first person perspective. The typical teenage girl, loving, living, experiences that make up who she is.
Adam (Jamie Blackley) the cool guy at school, has a band, trying to get some sort of recognition. Adam (Blackley) has a thing for the school cello player. The cool teen sometimes checks her out while she plays alone.
Kim (Liana liberato) Mia's best friend, a photographer, and enthusiast makes this friendship work. Kim will always protect Mia from anyone who will hurt her emotionally, especially a guy who has a thing for her. Kim has an eye out for that Adam.
Kat (Mireille Enos) and Denny (Joshua Leonard) are Mia's parents, they're somewhat on the cool side of things. Denny used to be in a band called the Nasty Bruises. The parents all teenagers want, not because they're cool but they understand. Teddy (Jakob Davies) seems like a good kid who looked up to his sister, no sibling rivalry. The way he interacts with Mia is really good, not a major character, but large enough to care about. Teddy is that special kid you want to have, and always wanted. The role is important in the life cycle surrounding Mia.
Gramps (Stacy Keach) and Gran (Gabrielle Rose) two wonderful people that play a major role in the life of Mia hall. Again, like i mentioned before, some characters have small scenes but, when they interact with each-other it becomes a memorable moment in the film.
The family goes out on a drive, a car swerves in front of them, and the unthinkable happens. A bad accident brings the family to the hospital. (Spoiler Alert!!) Mia finds herself seeing her family being taken to the hospital, she rides with the ambulance to the hospital as well. Mia realizes her situation, and must make a decision, that will change her life, or alter it. The flashbacks from her past are told from her perspective, her life, love, experiences and choices. The only surviving member of her family, an emotional moment that takes us deeper in the world, of Mia Hall. Playing the cello, falling in love with Adam, why? most she come back when only pain resides. The light, a place of happiness, but yet her family brings her back to the hospital.
Rant: Gayle Forman is probably a wonderful writer, but i will not make comparisons, because i did not read her novel. that being said, lets dive right in the story, shall we. The romance between Adam and Mia hits you like a storm. Do you remember when you were a teenager, the love interest in your school, that guy or girl your checking out. The school prom, dance, whatever. Anyway, the love these characters have for each other is done well, i could see and remember that guy who? was in a band, and went out with the chick that sprayed her hair, which created a pretty and pink look. If i stay has that kind of relationship, so the characters and the draw are there.
Denny and Kat are the anchor to the story, they bring you in, grab you at any moment in the film. The scenes with the parents, hit me pretty hard. The parents are cool, a rocker, and a punk chick marry, have kids, and now their own kid with musical talent. The bases for the film really enticed me, it brought me back to my own past.
The scenes with the gramps telling Mia to not to give up in the ICU was truly amazing, it really hit me hard. A tear-jerky moment, like almost the whole movie. Gramps reminded me of my grampa, the way he would tell me about the world, and how to endure it. The film has moments that are believable which make up this teen-drama. I really like this movie, and some moments are just heart felt. Not that i like teen dramas but, i will make the case this time around.
Every movie usually has something bad in it, and in the case of If i Stay is that very case, the very end really made me mad. The typical Hollywood ending. The antics that cause you to wonder what just happened, why? it happened, and nothing makes sense. She wakes up, Adam calls her name, and the film ends. No punch line to the joke, the audience looked at each other with their mouths open. The feeling i had in the last 2 min of the film.
Building up is good in a story, that's what we want as fans, audiences. the film up till the end of the movie was good, loved the heartache filled moments, all the ending did was disrupt the experience, it almost felt like a twilight movie. I understand the need for drama, it was there, but not knowing if you were going to make the sequel to the book, "Where i Went" is a big gamble to take. I don't know the book, but if the ending was the same, then there must be a better explanation. The book probably set the stage better, the build up, and anticipation delivered the path, which brought you to the ending. Not, complaining but is seemed like they were missing a big piece to the puzzle.
I get the drama, it deserves notice, but the ending to me killed the whole build up. Adam playing his guitar in the ICU, the whole OBE (Outer, Body, Experience), and the flashbacks of Mia's pasts was all done for nothing. If you're making a film based off of a well known book, than make sure its done right, and don't even sign on to film it if it has a sequel in the story. Basically i guess you could try to set the stage for a sequel but at least try to bring the story in a bit, it seemed as if a bat smashed you in the face. The integrity of the novel must be in place in order to deliver the story on film. Sometimes novels are to long, and cuts are made so the film can fit the 120 min. The producer and company must make changes, so the film has some believability. If i Stay hit the wall the last minutes of play, its like the filmmakers left out something. She just wakes up, that's it. I really get angry! with endings that have no meaning, so that being said lets continue.
The film was good, but maybe if more folks were picky, better films would be made, not just for the action,special effects or whatever. Hollywood needs to understand, that audiences around the world are not stupid, that's why? some films don't make it in the box office. Maybe, being old-school clouds my judgement, but at least i can try to review movies with an honest approach. If i Stay is recommended, but understand that the studio has no plans on a sequel, if the studio knew that, then they should've made the film under those guidelines. Why? not end the movie with the family surrounding her, remembering the positive Mia Hall has brought in her life. Fade the scene with that bar, do not have her just wake up and end it.
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