Before i Fall - A Movie Review

Change is always possible. It is never too late.

Based on the novel by Lauren Oliver, Before i Fall is a 2017 film about Samantha Kingston enjoying Valentine’s Day with her friends. After a fateful crash, she wakes up the next morning reliving the same day. In one of the most eyeopening weeks of her life, Sam learns the power of change.

When I learned that Before i Fall was going to be turned into a film I was super excited. I could not put Before i Fall down the first time I read it. Stories about repeating the same day over and over are creative. Before i Fall showcases the importance of making the right decisions.

Sam’s journey reveals how she became the person she wasn’t intending to become. Zoey Deutch was compelling as Sam. As this character, it’s all about facial expressions conveying how she really feels amid creating a mask. Her reactions to waking up each morning were explored very well going from hysterical to understanding why this is happening to her.

Sam is given a chance to fix her behavior and relationships with people in very little time. Her decisions and outlook are to be admired. Life as a teenager is tough. High school is the time to explore options. Making friends is tough and it is very important to make the right friends.

Sam and her circle of friends are cruel to people who they assume are not worth anything. As Sam’s best friends Halston Sage, Cynthy Wu, and Medalion Rahimi had fun. I enjoyed watching scenes where they’re getting ready for the party or messing around. This friendship is not healthy, however.

The girls hide secrets, especially about how they really feel towards one another. Lindsay Edgecomb (Sage) is vicious to anybody who gets in her way, only because she is suffering on the inside.

The ensemble for Before i Fall had a unique dynamic in which they had to repeat their scenes on a loop. Logan Miller, Kian Lawley, Elena Kampouris, Erica Tremblay, Liv Hewson, Diego Boneta, Jennifer Beals, and Nicholas Lea did a great job.

Books are tough to make into films because not all details fit on the big screen. A few subplots were changed around, or not included in the film adaptation. The ending could have been more ambiguous like it was in the book. Then again, it broadens the real message behind the story.

One subplot from the book that I was engrossed in was the chapter where Sam makes a visit to Juliet’s house. Part of me wishes that moment could have been in the film as it would have explained Juliet’s character better.

I have to thank Ry Russo-Young for their direction on Before i Fall. She closely directed each scene placing in minor details. I can tell that she did her research, following closely to the book. The film is well-paced. At times it falls on the unusual cliche, but it is a very original story that has soul to it.

This is not just a movie for teenagers. Before i Fall means a lot to me because it’s a reminder that we only live once. Cherish what life gives you and never take anything for granted. Life is all about making the right decisions.

It’s like Groundhog Day. If you were ever stuck in the same day over and over, would you take advantage of it, or try to make do with what you have?

I suggest that you read Before i Fall before you watch the movie. Then find the film on Netflix. It is an inspiring story that opens your mind.