Along for the Ride

A very formulaic teen coming of age that goes through the motions with no heart. The cast had no chemistry and the lines felt delivered rather than acted.

I have seen many coming of age films that start like this and when it surprises enough to avoid cliched pitfalls ... I start to enjoy it. The leads bring a fresh chemistry of relaxed unpretentiousness that hints at the depths to be seen later.

The languid resort town pace and great direction by Sofia Alvarez bring this sweet movie to a genuine close that doesnt rely on the conventional and is all for the best of a heartfelt film.

If you enjoy a subtle play on theme where Emma channels a wonderful and nuanced Jennifer Connelly in the character you will love this! As do I.

Enjoyed this a lot. Believable characters, believable scenarios, nice locations. Of course few of us are as physically attractive as the characters, and a film exploring what happens to those not quite so blessed would be interesting, But this is film/fairy tale territory, so I guess that's unlikely to happen.

"Teen goes to the beach town of 'the other parent' to learn who they really are" is a pretty standard movie set-up. Maybe the book the movie is based on has elements from the real life of its author so the trope is less stereotypical and more biographical. Regardless, I think my only harsh critique is in the casting of Andie McDowell & Dermot Mulroney as parents of an 18 year-old only child, when they both have a full head of gray hair and are clearly well past or pushing 60. Both talented legendary actors, but time for them to accept that that parental roles are behind them now. Other than that it's a perfectly watchable coming of age story where the quiet kid finally learns to speak up and figure out where they want to go in life.

This is a cute high school to college summertime romance. The usual out-of-place, uptight, smart, old soul, sad girl meets: gorgeous, aimless, despondent, biker-boy (BMX, not motorcycle). It did NOT fail to satisfy my appetite for honest, feel good young love. The cliché, of course, is the obvious message to the audience that teens are actually more intelligent and level-headed than their parents. This time I'm not so certain they aren't correct! Her parents are all a few eggs short of an omelette.

The insecurity and bursts of emotion are navigated quite superbly, not too overwhelming; but sufficient enough to taste the angst, frustration, and potential for regret. Oh, to be young again.

What happened to Kate Bosworth? She only seems to do trailer park these days...