ALL MY LIFE
US, 2020, 91 minutes, Colour.
Jessica Rothe, Harry Shum Jr, Ever Carradine, Mariel Scott, Molly Hagan, Keala Settle, Jay Pharaoh.
Directed by Marc Meyers.
All my life obviously means the totality of life. But the phrase is one of commitment, one of self-giving and receiving in love. And, this is especially true, when life is challenged, especially by terminal illness.
And that is perfectly true of this drama.
We are introduced to Jenn (Jessica Rothe who appeared in the Happy Death Day 2 U thrillers), an engaging young woman, studying, many friends. We also see Sol, a pleasant and busy young man (played by Harry Shum Jr, Asian- American, who appeared in Glee and looks as if he ought to have been in Crazy Rich Asians – and he was!). By chance, the two meet at a bar, are immediately attracted, are on a jogging date the next day, he introducing her to the joys of creative cooking, she finding that he is more important to her than she had imagined.
This is a film marked by sweetness. And, as it goes on, there is even more sweetness. Jenn and Sol have a great number of friends who are all nice and behave sweetly. They support the young couple who move in together, she continuing her studies, he working with digital marketing but enthusiastic and creative with his cooking, finally getting a job as a chef and becoming a great success.
What more could there be except the preparation for the wedding ceremony?
As we anticipated, illness. While this is sad, Sol going to hospital, diagnoses, experimental treatment, his depression, her continued support, there is more sweetness. The friends band together to prepare a happy event wedding, donating money, money-raising in the restaurant, fundraising events, the manager of the hall donating, the designer of the wedding dress donating, the perfect wedding – and so it is.
Even in the ultimate sadness, the film is upbeat, Sol and his legacy (Jenn reading him her eulogy, his filming a funny video her to look at after his death). And, to encourage us all, Jenn reflects on the meaning of life, love and commitment.
Probably too sweet for many an audience, but probably engagingly sweet for many more. And, a bit of a change, in fact, to see a young couple so lovingly committed with a wedding ceremony as one of the most significant events of their lives.
1. The title? Whole of life? Love, commitment? Terminal illness and commitment?
2. The American city, Jenn and her studies, College? Sol and the digital company, his ability as a cook? The dates, the park, friends? Hospitals? The wedding venue? The celebration? Honeymoon? The musical score?
3. The introduction to Jenn, her age, vitality, studies, friends, to be a therapist? The three friends at the diner, the encounter with Sol and his friends? Dave and his story, Sol going to the bar, Jenn following? The next morning, the job, food, caravan, Jenn momentarily searching for Sol?
4. Love at first sight, dates, conversations, moving in? Their life together? The gathering, the water’s edge, all the friends gathering, the singing, the boat passing, Sol and his proposal, now or never? Jenn and her acceptance?
5. Sol, giving up his job, becoming a chef, his success in the kitchen, with the menu? The friends at the diner?
6. Sol and his collapse, the hospital, his liver, the cancer, prospects, the reprieve, the collapse, the doctor and his opinions? The medical test? The consequences for all, pain, losing his taste, depression, Jenn and her response, support? Asking him to communicate? The difficult times?
7. The plan for the wedding, the restaurant, postponing it, the friends, reorganising, $20,000, the appeal, functions, the joy in raising money? The venue for nothing, the wedding dress free, the friends and their planning? The ceremony, tears, the balance, celebration, the dancing?
8. Sol, becoming more ill, talking with Jenn, listening to her eulogy? His bequest and death?
9. The honeymoon, the present with the video, in his speedos, the joke, her passing by, as a gift?
10. Jenn in the water, a reflection on love, commitment, her life?
