All the Bright Places (2020)

This is an incredibly moving portrait of four (or more) deeply troubled teens who, although living in privileged situations in America, are dealing, have been dealing and will be dealing with various tragedies in their lives. It's based on Jennifer Niven's apparently poignant novel of the same name, which I have not read.

It's an exploration of mental health, tragedy, suicide, anxiety and abuse which lingers on the hope of recovery. The story focuses mainly on our two central characters, Violet, played by Elle Fanning and Finch, enacted by Justice Smith. We join the tale as Violet is stood on the rail of a bridge, looking down at the long drop on what would have been her sister's 19th birthday. In fact, the bridge was the very location where her sister had died in a car accident.

Finch happens along as he's out running and engages with Violet, trying to find out what's going on and to prevent the situation getting worse for her and those who might be impacted by yet another tragedy. As the two start to spend time together, Violet's depression and outlook start to shift, slowly and with much input, reflection and care from Finch.

We spend a good portion of the first quarter of the film with Violet, observing her grief, continuing months after the tragedy, her not pulling herself out of the depression, whilst others around her do what they can to encourage recovery. Fanning plays this beautifully. When she smiles, she has a lovely smile but when her face is at rest, it does have a ready look of poignancy about it, fit for the role here.

The human connection builds between them, two troubled souls who find solace in each other (as we start to also have Finch's problematic background thrown into the mix), beginning a journey of self-discovery and healing. They end up executing a school project together - visiting all the bright places in rural Indiana, which, incidentally, are shot beautifully. The locations, to some degree, do the job for themselves, but the cinematography is taken a notch further than just that - in fact a big notch as it becomes a visual delight.

The focus of the film remains very much about mental illness though and director Brett Haley makes sure that it remains so throughout. It deals with it intelligently and sympathetically (rather than trying to sensationalise outcomes) using the great talent on display here. I've become a fan of Elle Fanning and have written about her performance in The Roads Not Taken (2020) and should have, but didn't, about her depiction of Woody Allen's 'Ashleigh' character in his 2019 film A Rainy Day in New York. She simply sparkled in that, under his direction.

Justice Smith is equally capable and captivating here, as the chemistry between the two leads carries the film. It is a moving and emotional film and Fanning plays Violet's grief heartbreakingly well, but it's smart, powerful and thought-provoking, not gushy. An excellently created film which hopefully could go some way to helping people who suffer with similar mental health issues and/or tragedy in their lives. Otherwise, yes, watch it for the super performances of the two leads.