Tomorrow Begins Tonight|May. 06, 2022|United States|106 Min.|n/A
Genre: Drama;Romance
Description: The Netflix adaptation of Sarah Dessen’s popular 2009 novel “Along for the Ride” has left fans eagerly anticipating its release. However, the film fails to capture the depth and complexity of the original story, leaving viewers somewhat disappointed.
The movie centers on Auden West, played by Emma Pasarow, a studious and introverted teenager. Raised by her divorced, academic parents (Dermot Mulroney and Andie MacDowell), Auden was denied a carefree childhood. Spending the summer before college with her father, stepmother (Kate Bosworth), and newborn half-sister, Auden encounters a group of new friends who teach her the importance of fun and self-discovery. Among them is Eli (Belmont Cameli), a boy with a troubled past who works at a local bike shop and shares Auden’s habit of staying up all night.
Directed and written by Sofia Alvarez, known for “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” the film follows the same basic plot as Dessen’s novel. It incorporates elements like warm cinematography by Luca Del Puppo, Vans product placements, and music by Beach House to appeal to a young audience. However, the adaptation feels overly light and Instagram-friendly, straying from the nuanced struggles of the original protagonist. In the book, Auden’s journey from self-isolation to romance was marked by her perfectionism and emotional barriers, shaped by her restrictive upbringing. In contrast, the film portrays her as a laid-back character with minimal emotional baggage.
The supporting characters, particularly Auden’s parents, are underdeveloped, leaving the story lacking in meaningful conflict or stakes. While Dessen’s novel offered a deeply relatable and imperfect protagonist, the movie ironically presents Auden as almost flawlessly perfect, missing the essence of her original character.
Cast director: Sofia Alvarez
Cast actor: Emma Pasarow, Belmont Cameli, Kate Bosworth, Andie MacDowell, Laura Kariuki, Dermot Mulroney, Genevieve Hannelius, Samia Finnerty, Paul Karmiryan, Marcus Scribner
Original name: Along for the Ride