Movietime in Manhattan: Opening Tomorrow, August 22, 2014 If I Stay by Warner Brothers Pictures Makes Its Debut - Whom You Know Says You Should Go! Our Coverage Sponsored by ECO SWIM BY AQUA GREEN
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Based on a novel, If I Stay makes its motion picture debut tomorrow, August 22, 2014 and we say you should go. You'll meet an incredibly likable protagonist, Mia Hall (played by Chloe Grace Moretz) who will win you over with her determination, talent, charm and unassuming nature. We believe this character emanates from an old soul, and emotion runs high in this dramatic film that we believe will be widely appealing, and it's not just for the "young adults" as the book was classified.
"I read it in one sitting and it shattered me," says director R.J. Cutler. "The central premise-we are whom we love-was so evocative, so moving, I knew I had to translate the profound connection I had with those pages to film."
We did not read the book.
We'd like to review the sequel, and our intention there (publisher has yet to be contacted) should speak volumes to you about how we found this movie. Mia is a girl that likes real coffee the way it is supposed to be: not Christmas that threw up in a cup. We like her style. It is in sharp contrast to her bohemian parents...quelle horreur!
We were not originally convinced we'd be sold on If I Stay, however, we gave it a chance. We found Mia to ultimately be so inspirational and her character to make so much sense that we fell in love with If I Stay. Though many would say this movie centers mostly around her romantic relationship with Adam (played by Jamie Blackley, minus the British accent sadly, to be in character), we found the best relationship to be the one between Mia and Gramps (played by Stacy Keach.) The strength, honesty and pure love between a grandparent/grandchild relationship is really celebrated here in If I Stay, and it is beautiful. And, if you've read us before, you know Peachy was hugely influenced by her late paternal grandparents.
We love that Mia is devoted to the classics, and her clear-cut passion for the cello is the best publicity we think this instrument has ever received. Two thumbs up to Chloe for learning it via Skype all over the place in her travels! We love that she is an atypical teenager who idolizes Beethoven and Yo Yo Ma. This is a girl that walks her own way, and guess who finds that oh-so-attractive.
If I Stay uniquely gives the viewer added gratification for life itself, and moments that are worth living for.
Some may say parts could border on cheesy, however we say If I Stay is true and pure. It's a story of young love. It's a story of perseverance. Do not let anyone put this film in a category for you, as it is many things, and possibly different things to different people. The color schemes work well and vivid versus pale has an added effect of drama. The score (music) is perfect.
From a storytelling standpoint, it successfully transitions from the present to the past with many time changes, which not all films execute successfully.
A final note: Portland, Oregon cannot be better than Manhattan. And Juilliard, you are not in keeping with the college acceptance rule that we knew: small envelope=rejection and big bulging envelope=acceptance (thank you once again Boston College!).
If I Stay is Recommended by Whom You Know.
We say you should GO!
Bring the kleenex if you have a heart.
Gayle Forman’s best-selling novel comes to the big screen in New Line Cinema’s and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures’ drama “If I Stay,” starring Chloë Grace Moretz (“Carrie,” the “Kick-Ass” films), Mireille Enos (TV’s “The Killing,” “World War Z”); Joshua Leonard (“Higher Ground”); Jamie Blackley (“Snow White and the Huntsman”); and Stacy Keach (“Nebraska”).
Mia Hall (Moretz) thought the hardest decision she would ever face would be whether to pursue her musical dreams at Juilliard or follow a different path to be with the love of her life, Adam (Blackley). But what should have been a carefree family drive changes everything in an instant, and now her own life hangs in the balance. Caught between life and death for one revealing day, Mia has only one decision left, which will not only decide her future but her ultimate fate.
Also starring are Mireille Enos and Joshua Leonard as Mia’s parents, Kat and Denny, and Stacy Keach as Gramps. Rounding out the main cast are Jakob Davies as Mia’s little brother, Liana Liberato as her best friend, Gabrielle Rose as Grandma, and Aisha Hinds as Nurse Ramirez.
R.J. Cutler (“The September Issue,” TV’s “Nashville”) directed the film from a screenplay by Shauna Cross (“Whip It”) based on Forman’s novel. “If I Stay” was produced by Alison Greenspan (“The Lucky One”), with Denise Di Novi, Forman and Brad Van Arragon serving as executive producers.
Cutler’s behind-the-scenes team included cinematographer John de Borman (“An Education”), production designer Brent Thomas (“Diary of a Wimpy Kid” films), editor Keith Henderson (TV’s “Justified”), costume designer Monique Prudhomme (“Diary of a Wimpy Kid” films) and composer Heitor Pereira (the “Despicable Me” films).
New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures present a Di Novi Pictures Production, “If I Stay.” Opening August 22, 2014, the film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures.
This film has been rated PG-13 for thematic elements and some sexual material.
