Directed by Jenny Gage, After tells the story of a young college freshman who falls for a bad boy. Compared to other fanfiction-turned-film like Twilight and Fifty Shades of Grey, Susan Martin’s adaptation of Anna Todd’s novel of the same name is more in line with Riverdale or The CW teenage phenomena of glossy, fantastical scenarios. (BKP: 2/5)
Review by Vice President and Managing Editor Brigid K. Presecky
Josephine Langford and Hero Fiennes-Tiffin star as good girl and bad boy in what seems like a spoof of The Vampire Diaries minus the vampires. Originally stemming from Harry Styles fanfiction, the film tells the story of Tessa Young who arrives at college as naive freshman. After playing Truth or Dare (they do that in college?) and questioned about her sex life, she meets hunky, British Hardin Scott. For two people who reference Pride and Prejudice and Wuthering Heights, they can’t make a compelling love story of their own.
Swimming in his secret spot – a lake – is supposed to be steamy, but no matter how much the environment alludes to “sexy,” it never quite feels believable. Like its predecessors, Edward and Bella from Twilight and Christian and Anastasia in Fifty Shades of Grey, this “love” story is more about lust between pretty people. The music is fun and the scenery is beautifully cinematic, in a way, but the story itself is neither.
Based on Anna Todd’s best-selling novel and an abundance of YA melodrama (see: Five Feet Apart), the days of She’s All That, 10 Things I Hate About You and/or A Walk to Remember seem like long ago days. Either teens are enjoying this slew of dark, twisty mediocrity or movie executives think they are – and it’s unfortunate.
A PG-13 version of the Mr. Grey erotica cheapens the story itself, the age-old story of a wholesome girl who becomes infatuated with a not-so-wholesome boy. I have heard another viewer liken After to Rory and Jess from Gilmore Girls – the highest compliment this movie could ever receive. Maybe it was because those characters shared a love of literature? Who knows.
Brief appearances from Selma Blair and Peter Gallagher are ghosts of teen drama past, reminders of what intriguing, thoughtful stories used to look like (Cruel Intentions and The OC, respectively). Instead, young viewers are given this depiction of romance: shared bubble baths, artsy trips to the aquarium and contrived passion. “What are you dreaming about?” Hardin asks Tessa; this film critic is dreaming about giving young adults more credit than they’re getting right now. They deserve better. After living through a decade of lust-filled fanfiction, they have earned better.
© Brigid K. Presecky (4/16/19) FF2 Media
Photos: After
Photo credits: CalMaple, Wattpad, Diamond Film Productions
Q: Does After pass the Bechdel-Wallace test?
Yes! Tessa has scenes with her mom (Selma Blair).
In the follow- up of differentiated thyroid cancer the interpretation of TSH and serum Tg is inter- dependent cialis generic best price
best place to buy generic cialis online DNA damage Reversal Participating Molecules R HSA 73942
do you need a prescription for propecia Lee KH, Bahk WM, Lee SJ, Pae CU
cialis generic reviews This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education ACCME through the joint providership of the Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, and StatPearls, LLC
510322 2114Sewing Machines […]any time to read or go to the content material or perhaps internet sites we certainly have associated with[…] 645270
318430 426469I like this weblog so significantly, saved to fav. 985935
278077 716624Wow! This can be 1 particular with the most helpful blogs We have ever arrive across on this topic. Truly Fantastic. Im also an expert in this topic so I can understand your hard work. 408170
130040 233162I truly appreciated this gorgeous blog. Make certain you keep up the very good function. Very best Regards . 503098
22755 477306This is a excellent common sense post. Extremely valuable to one who is just locating the resouces about this part. It will surely help educate me. 933334
902437 359989This really is 1 quite fascinating post. I like the way you write and I will bookmark your weblog to my favorites. 896679
207076 642408The total look of your website is fantastic, let neatly as the content material! 468735
459243 393279Any way Ill be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post once more soon. I dont feel I could have put it far better myself. 727049
549252 583762You produced some decent points there. I looked online towards the issue and discovered most people is going in addition to using your website. 719273
112942 726205Sewing Machines […]any time to read or go towards the content material or possibly internet sites we definitely have associated with[…] 412142
573772 419567But a smiling visitor here to share the adore (:, btw fantastic pattern . 767451
787505 205033Be the precise weblog in case you have wants to learn about this subject. You comprehend considerably its practically onerous to argue to you (not that I personally would needHaHa). You undoubtedly put a new spin for a subject thats been discussing for some time. Good stuff, just good! 874583
752520 700875What host are you the usage of? Can I get affiliate hyperlink for your host? I desire site loaded up as fast as yours lol 354239
623849 463201Some really interesting information , nicely written and loosely user genial . 167573
322698 39813Thank you for sharing with us, I conceive this web site really stands out : D. 285597
762681 776648Spot on with this write-up, I need to say i believe this superb web site needs significantly a lot more consideration. Ill probably be once once more to learn an excellent deal far more, a lot of thanks that info. 900126
976446 503571Really properly written story. It will likely be useful to everybody who utilizes it, as nicely as myself. Keep up the great work – i will undoubtedly read more posts. 898030
828745 384305I dugg some of you post as I thought they were handy very helpful 14040
685146 354857Hi, Neat post. Theres a problem along with your web site in internet explorer, would test this IE still will be the market leader and a big portion of folks will miss your wonderful writing because of this issue. 926223
168602 462933Hey, you used to write wonderful, but the last couple of posts have been kinda boring I miss your tremendous writings. Past few posts are just a little out of track! come on! 260148
949940 754473I tried to submit a comment earlier, although it has not shown up. I will remember this. 472255
612122 506214Wow, remarkable weblog structure! How long have you been running a weblog for? you made running a weblog appear easy. The complete appear of your web site is magnificent, neatly as the content material material! 618616
294263 254015Its superb as your other posts : D, regards for posting . 444380
789335 521951Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on that. And he actually bought me lunch since I found it for him smile Thus let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch! 812185
960014 833087Oh my goodness! an incredible post dude. Thank you Even so My business is experiencing dilemma with ur rss . Dont know why Unable to subscribe to it. Can there be anyone obtaining identical rss problem? Anybody who knows kindly respond. Thnkx 950875