[Confession] Before I Fall
Ever since I saw the trailer of Before I Fall, a movie adapted from the book of the same name by Lauren Oliver, I knew I had to watch this sometime. So when it opened in the theaters (last March?), I was so disappointed that it was only shown at two (2) cinemas and none of the them fitting my schedule. So I decided to let it off - until now.
Here is the synopsis of the movie:
February 12 is just another day in Sam's charmed life, until it turns out to be her last. Stuck reliving her last day over one inexplicable week, Sam untangles the mystery around her death and discovers everything she's losing.
After watching the mindfckery of Bliss, it was a treat that I found this movie since I was craving for more non-linear stories. But to start it off, Before I Fall's story isn't that unique in a sense that it has a movie of a same plot before. It has the same context but for teens and less of the comedy.
Before I Fall's genre totally falls on the drama category. The mood it sets from the start is sympathetic yet appealing. The theme explores the darkness and side effects of the little choices we take and I liked that despite being a trite - but on the other hand, it didn't pose anything special either. I was curious on how it would end but I didn't expect much as well.
Another thing I liked is even though it's a karmic punishment, the character's self discovery and improvement offers communication to its audience as well. The realization of becoming more of who you are than how the society dictates you is the complete declaration of this movie. You wouldn't want to change until it's too late, do you?
And the last thing I liked best here is the plot's structure and pacing. When you thought it would be boring because it'd be repeated over and over again, then no. It makes all the difference everyday and although the ending was ambiguous (like If I Stay) I would always agree to it any day. I liked the twist and how everything were connected to one another.
Not revolutionary but a decent film to compensate nevertheless.
My Rating:
Plot: 8.0/10
Acting: 7.0/10
Cinematography: 7.0/10
Characters: 7.0/10
Uniqueness: 4.0/10
OVERALL RATING: 6.6