When a film is based on a true story, there are things we as critics can take issue with—but in the end, if they really happened, it is what it is. Now, creating dramatic license with the facts is the right of the filmmakers and neither is really at play with the romantic drama All My Life.
The reason I bring up the adding elements to an already true tale is that it is hard to know what truly conspired between Jennifer Carter (Jessica Rothe, Happy Death Day) and Solomon Chau (Harry Shum Jr. of Glee and Crazy Rich Asians fame) in their tragic, but love affirming sweeping romance that found the two married in front of friend and family where not a soul didn’t shed a tear—including us witnessing their nuptials.
When Carter and Chau first meet, it was at a bar and the pair had instant and palpable chemistry. As chronicled by writer Todd Rosenberg, through his screenplay, and brought to life by a director in Marc Meyers who keenly understands the pratfalls to these types of movies.
The two lovebirds’ whirlwind love affair reminds those of us who have experienced that kind of intensive adoration of another. You live for their next contact. You are a better person, simply because you know them, and they are in your life. Love can be contagious, and as embodied by Chau and Carter, it is downright addictive.
These types of films have an enormous hill to climb to success. Audiences are well-versed in the minutest of milieu tropes. Many executed in All My Life tread on familiar ground. Narrative originality, in its purest form, is the most supreme of challenges within the art of filmmaking. Due to that, something else will carry the day. For Meyers, thanks to the performance of our leads, Rothe and Shum Jr., they push the envelope, warm the soul, and they make this Life worth living.
I’ve got some cinematic pet peeves—most critics do. But the key is to be keenly aware of those, and to not let them be a roadblock, or worse, color your view of the film that you are reviewing.
For example, one is biopics that fail to capture why the subject (no one remakes biopics) warrants their Hollywood close-up. Another is montages that don’t contribute dramatically or comedically, other than serving as a time filler—and perhaps providing a few laughs and “awe, isn’t that cute.”
All My Life avoids those landmines like a bomb-sniffing canine. The film’s medleys not only inform but are wholeheartedly as embraceable as these two lovebirds. They are priceless vehicles to adding layers to the institution that is falling in love—here exhibited gingerly and touching by Carter and Chau. One can see, why their friends and family are as crazy about these two as they care about each other. It makes it all the more tender then when this real-life story reveals the lynchpin for which everything in Chau and Carter’s world is on the verge of toppling like a house of cards.
Chau learns he has liver cancer. Always the optimist, superbly laid out by just the right amount of exposition, our aspiring chef believes he will beat it—despite the odds dictating otherwise.
For one, he is going right into chemotherapy and the other is this wedding date is going to have to be moved up. It immediately sends your mind into that element of the vows where each half of this new whole utters, “till death do us part.”
It is at this point where the ensemble, that surrounds Rothe and Shum Jr., raises up. They seek to ensure that should the unthinkable occur, at least Rothe’s character will forever carry his last name.
But let’s not go there… because it is the journey that is so joyous, not the outcome.
It is extremely difficult to bring true stories to life due to the fact that the art of filmmaking requires certain elements. By staying centered within the deep and otherworldly love that Carter and Chau share, despite the looming presence of the Grim Reaper, All My Life can easily put a smile on your face (while those tears will still come).
Rothe is having a moment. There are countless ingénues who ride a wave of success to strike while the iron is hot. The actress first grabbed our attention in the Blumhouse instant horror classic Happy Death Day, and its sequel Happy Death Day 2U. Then, she was part of a remake that seemed the most thankless of endeavors—Valley Girl. That film was an utter delight (as you can tell by our Valley Girl review). The early 80s hit (that introduced many to a guy named Nicolas Cage) was redone as a musical and with Rothe as the love interest, it was pure gold. The same can be said here, except there is someone whose performance almost makes Rothe and afterthought.
Shum Jr. has an arc in All My Life that is a chance to prove his mettle as a thespian playing in the big leagues. There was a running joke in Glee that Mike Chang was a great dancer (he was) and a terrible singer (he was). So, it is with great joy that one of the first scenes with the actor involves him singing—almost a wink at that Glee-based sentiment. Someone’s been working on using their vocal cords as an instrument because it fits the moment. The track even becomes the theme of the film, especially the couple.
Don’t Look Back in Anger by Oasis is the most beautiful sonic soul. As Meyers utilizes it in his latest, the song is simply gorgeous. Let’s just say this—from now on, try hearing Oasis’ classic and not think about Jennifer and Sol and their mesmerizing, but doomed, love story.
The Glee ensemble member has also been working on his art of acting. In his latest, he is captivating, and it is, sadly, heartbreaking… but a worthy watch (keep those tissues nearby).
I sincerely hope that enough people witness All My Life so that Shum Jr. can get the acting, singing (yes, even that), and dancing work he deserves. It will certainly help the Costa Rican born talent to shoot up the lists of people who casting agents utilize when filling out their ensembles.
Rosenberg does a fine job with his script. It hits notes that we’ve heard before and given that its ending is a foregone conclusion (it was in the news), the scriptwriter does a decent job at bringing to life a story that isn’t exactly a happy happy, joy joy moment. All the backstory that is needed for each character is provided and is just enough to not lose the audience in needless tales of characters’ past.
Meyers’ direction is exactly what this story requires. The man behind My Friend Dahmer and Human Capital has found his niche. When it comes to dramatic romance, the helmer should be considered for everything going forward.
The thing with All My Life is that it is missing the boat on one smallest of elements. When the fateful conclusion that is unavoidable occurs, it is almost glossed over. Sure, we can see that celebrating the love at the heart of this story is the most important facet. It is, there is no question. It is merely that it would have been a nice touch to include the viewers in the crushing sadness of a life gone too soon in a sea of soulmate succulence.
Grade: B
All My Life is available for rent On Demand (such as iTunes and Amazon Prime), as well as in certain theaters that are open (for now).