I am fully aware that I am late to the party here, but I recently just saw the Everything, Everything movie and man was I impressed. Honestly, when it comes to YA movie adaptations it can really be hit or miss, so my expectations heading in are generally low. So when Max and I settled in at home to watch our rented DVD (I know, it’s shocking we still rent DVDs, I thank the RedBox movie rental kiosks at Safeway) we were surprised to find that this movie was really well done, full of just the right amount of quirky metaphors, awkward teenage moments, and chemistry that was actually believable between the leads.
Warning: This review will contain spoilers for the book and movie
Thoughts on Everything, Everything
- The aesthetic was on point and beautiful throughout this movie. It really captured the sterile and quiet vibe of Maddie’s existence.
- I’ll admit I don’t remember the book verbatim (I read it a few years ago), however I think I remember Maddie being half Japanese? Which I don’t think was addressed in the movie.
- I loved the metaphor of the astronaut, and how he kept appearing in scenes. I can’t remember if he was in the book or not, but it was really clever. It was also super clever that they’d play out text conversations between Olly and Maddie by having them be in her architectural models that she was building, walking around and interacting like their conversations were happening in person. It was a cool touch and seemed to be reminiscent of the drawings and journal entries that were in the novel.
- One thing that I disliked when reading the novel was that the relationship between Olly and Maddie felt very insta-lovey. I actually didn’t get that sense as much in the movie. The actors have really good chemistry and really encapsulated that feeling of falling fast but authentically for someone when you’re a teenager, and I really felt the intensity of their relationship.
- The relationship between Maddie and her mom was really well done. Of course, Maddie’s mom has done something really messed up (pretending her daughter had an auto-immune disorder, never letting her leave the house, and basically actually crippling her immune system in the process) but despite this HUGE betrayal, it’s clear that the emotions Maddie is feeling toward her mom are complex and her mom isn’t portrayed to JUST be a cold, unfeeling villain for the narrative.
- Total random side note but Maddie’s wardrobe was on point. I loved the mix of pastel colors to her traditionally white wardrobe as she progressively falls in love with Olly.
- I thought like some of pop songs felt sort of out of place in the film given that it’s actually pretty emotionally intense and has a “quieter” feel. Especially when they get to Hawaii, some of the music choices felt like they were trying to drive in the message that “this is a YA film for teenagers despite the gravity of the plot and subtlety of the writing.”
Overall: I really enjoyed the Everything, Everything movie! It managed to keep the nuanced tone of the book and translate the unique elements and complex emotions onto the screen really well. It gives me hope that with so many YA books and series being used as the basis for movies lately, that we will get a lot of quality films as a result!
Did you see Everything, Everything? What did you think of movie adaptation? What is the best YA movie adaptation that you’ve seen in a while? The worst? Let me know in the comments!
