Life in a Year

I don't seek out romantic movies but wife got to choose. I had no idea what the movie was about so the cancer reveal got my attention and didn't let go. I knew where the movie was probably heading and there were some little twists along the way. Reading most of the negative comments on here I see a lot of people projecting onto the actors or the Smith/Pinkett family and not actually the merits of the film. It was a good watch with a diverse set of characters mirror the real world - not just some WASP pocket of America.

This was a decent romantic young people movie. I've seen both better and worse. People just hate Jaden for the most ridiculous reasons. It debuted on Prime it's not like you had to buy a ticket. Jaden is okay in his scenes. However, he brings heavy emotion quite well. I wouldn't have bought a ticket for this but I'm okay with it being in the Prime library. The more experienced actors did very well. I do respect the acceptance without making it preachy. If you watch it you'll know. Overall, it's a decent romance movie. Watch appreciate life a bit, respect folks fighting for their lives and folks whose lives were ended too soon.

Not sure what all the hate is about! Yeah it's a story about coming of age teens, struggling with life, learning to be themselves and falling in love. And yes... The storyline has been done before and it's been done better, but who cares! This movie has a lot of important lessons about living your dreams, being your authentic self and not being afraid of what other people think. I found all the characters in this film to have depth and I cared about them and that's what I really like from a movie. I have seen some pretty horrid crap movies in my life and this definitely isn't one of them. Sure, it's no Oscar winner, but it made me feel things and that's all I want from a good film sometimes.

Cara was the reason why I even bothered to look into this film. The initial premise sounded a lot like "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)" - but it was a new take on it. A young couple from different sides of the track get to know each other and make it work; against parents, against odds and also against their own initial doubt.

The two develop enough chemistry to come across as a believable, albeit unlikely, couple. The lead actors are fine, the supporting actors were not my favorite. The plot itself plays itself out around half-time and then fizzles out from there.

Was it a worthy watch? Since I had nothing else to do on Black Friday, yes. Would I waste valuable time for it instead of doing something else - No.

I've never felt compelled to write a review until I read some of the bad reviews for this movie. This was a well-written and very well-acted film. Yes, there's a teen romance (which shouldn't have surprised anyone who watched the trailer first); but I found it to be a whole lot more than that. I'm 49, and I connected with it instantly. Jaden Smith is so good in this performance that you feel what his character is feeling - best kind of movie. Highly recommend.