All Together Now

When I can be moved to tears in front of my cruel computer, you know All Together Now can be one of the best teen coming-of-age films on Netflix, a purveyor of that genre like no other service.

Having had five daughters, I am an expert about the challenges teen girls face in any world at any time. Most of those rough times are caused by us, adults, who need to see movies like this to understand the beautifully complex decisions and affections a teen is called on to endure. In fact, every pre-teen should see this melodrama as well to gain insight into the difficult world of their future.

Amber (Auli'I Cravalho) lives illicitly in a school bus with her driver, alcoholic mother until they can't. Amber is so charming during the day that no one would guess the difficulties she faces once away from school. Think of her working in a donut shop in Portland, producing fundraising shows for her school, and trying to figure out how she can get to Carnegie Mellon University Drama School, which has invited her to audition.

Then throw into the mix her mom's abusive boyfriend and a mini-pup with a cancerous mass that should be operated on, and you have probably too many bad things happening to her for one movie. Still, if you accept where filmmaker Brett Haley wants you to go, each is a barrier to happiness, and she is an inveterate optimist.

All Together Now gets right the motifs of hope and community caring seasoned with music because Amber needs to allow the community to give back to her after all she has given them, music not the least. The film signifies better than most that allowing others to give is a gift to them and a sure sign that something is right about you.

Life can be survived with happiness, only after one has earned it, is a powerful message in pandemic times when that tyrant seems to make us all helpless. But not youth with hope.

This is a cosy story, full of love bittersweet and teardripping humbleness, of the daily life of mother and daughter relationship, add to that homelessness with a wide fantasy in habitational teqnicues, and especially the young girls flock of friends at school, with weird, strange and emotional fullfilment and a superkinda dynamics, that can make anybody envious.

its a portland oregon based film, and outdoor 24-hour activity in the outdoors aint always as pleasanht as eeyory's house, i wouldve chosen rabbits hole if in same circumstances. there are always lack of doe and its also a story about a handfull of different jobs pr day to make two nickels of a dime. it all worsens a lot due to mum loosing her job as punishment under strange reasons, and the girl becomes sacknapped while sleeping outdoors.

the acting seems to me very careless, relaxed and very carefree, its almost like reality, though it aint. main actress are a forthcoming star i'm sure, the rest of the cast delivers well over the average.

i can just tell you asap that this is a must see if you like filmography with glo', no not the telecommunication company, but red hot cinematic glow, there are no hd when filming interaction, just hd in some droneaerials, and they have managed to preserve the blurry backgrounds in close up filming, something newbies with procams often forget to use and realise in their flicks. remember im a grumpy old man, with fading eyes in grey and green, so life aint always hd,you know.

to conclude a good netflix production i must respond to the excellent choice of music, a film without aint no good film worthy. its an strong 8, maybe higher after a planned viewing with my wife later on.

This movie was beautiful. So much tragedy in her life at such a young age, but she's so strong. And as long as she had hope, she knew she could get through anything. I cried so much watching this. Love it

In spite of the being very hard to believe, i mean a mother and her daughter live in a school bus, and the girl sleeping on a bench and refusing anyone to help her, and she remains strangely happy, but the final part of the film had a good message to tell, about letting the people who care about you, give you a hand when you need it the most. But it was a little hard identifying with the story with this strange events, usually people ask for help when they really need it, while the lead character Amber doesn't believe in that. The fact that Amber only sang one song" Feels like home", while she could've at least sang another one at the talent show , makes no sense and is such a lost opportunity. She did such a great job in "Moana" and it was nice seeing her here in a live action film, but sadly the script wasn't that good. But the cast did a good job, and Carol Burnett was a special addition to the team.

A film that makes light of itself. Not bad at all. We enjoyed this as much as you can enjoy an average film. Resilient film with very little over-acting. Most of it was believable.