All the Bright Places (2020)

DISCLAIMER: The film deals with the heavy themes of the complexities of mental health, trauma and abuse, grief, and suicide. These themes may be triggering for some viewers. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.

“Maybe even the smallest of places can mean something.

At the very least, maybe they can mean something to us.”

— Theodore Finch

The wind brushed against him as he ran, the cold breeze embracing his thoughts, as he held onto the solace of this quiet morning despite the weight it carried. He was focused, as if he was almost controlling the way he pants for air and counts his breaths mentally. The world seemed dull, in fact, almost meaningless. Running away may seem to be ideal in order to be sane. He runs through a residential suburban road and there he spots a girl in her pajamas, standing on the ledge of a bridge. Looking down, it was nearly as though the ground beneath was luring her to jump. Or was it the echoes of her mind asking—no, pleading for her to jump? After all, what was there to live when she became a silhouette of agony and grief?

All The Bright Places, a young adult fiction novel written by Jennifer Niven in 2015, and was later adapted as a film directed by Brett Haley in 2020. The movie focuses on the characters’ Violet Markey (Elle Fanning) and Theodore Finch (Justice Smith) as they explore the contents of finding meaning into life, with the weight of grief and mental health struggles on their journey. Subtlety, they build a connection towards one another. As the film was brought into the mainstream, it swirled thousands of realizations for its viewers, from coping and dealing with pain to seeing the beauty in one’s life. 

Theodore Finch hates labels, but he himself has gotten a label “The Freak” due to his unpredictable and “weird” personality. An outcast told by many. He’s outspoken, sometimes easily baited by rage, and is also labeled to be dangerous. When in fact, his character is generally misunderstood by his classmates. Suffering from a childhood trauma, Finch grew up with a physically violent father, and an emotionally distant mother. With this in mind, his sister who stood beside him became a parental figure. To Finch, his sister is one of the most important figures in his life. On the other hand, Violet Markey struggles to find her way back into life. Driven by remorse for oneself and anguish, she finds it difficult to socialize and go back to the rhythm of her old life—one where she truly last felt alive. She became hesitant to be vulnerable with her own feelings, and almost became distant to the world.

The story begins with Violet winded up from the grief and self-blame of her sister’s passing, she stood at the edge of the bridge—lost in her own thoughts and sorrow. There and then a man named Theodore Finch who loves to run every dawn. Finch sees her in the distance as he decides to approach and lean in a hand for Violet to step down the edge. An act of kindness from someone who was falling apart too. Eventually as the storyline progressed, they partnered up for a project that involved wandering in interesting places in their state. And given the time, they went on for many roadtrips and documented it. From the highest point of Indiana, an abandoned building and murals, and a large body of water that holds a mysterious tale of a group of boys who vanished after diving and never once again saw the light of the earth. 

These trips and adventures became the core of hope for Violet, she embraces the newer and exploring version of her with a thought that maybe.. just maybe, this was a new beginning. A proof that one can be grieving and still continue to seek and to see the beauty that life has numerous possibilities to offer. She found her way back, because Finch was there, he became a catalyst for change. As Violet mended herself back into the world—with the means of healing and living each day. Finch unravels a side that Violet failed to see, he slips away unto the casts of his shadow at his own despair.

Isolation wasn’t new to Finch, undoubtedly, it was almost as if it was his comfort—a comfort for his self-destructive nature. The fear of shame and judgment, and the self-blame was overwhelming. That is why, when Finch brought Violet back to her parent’s home the next day after their trip, after losing the track of time and seeing Violet’s parents angry and disappointed. Hatred bloomed in him—not because Violet's parents were enraged, but rather by the fact that he felt like he couldn’t do anything right. He blames and hates himself for it. It seemed as though he believed that he couldn’t get better due to his unresolved trauma. Which triggered the need for him to disconnect from other people and resolve these conflicts on his own. And for Finch’s friends, it was typical of him to do all the time and he comes back around, acting as if nothing happened. Not until he didn’t.

If you are feeling lost and need to take a breather against the chaos of the world, might as well give All The Bright Places a chance to be watched. The movie highlights the complex realities of mental health, as it also explores the themes of acceptance, self-discovery, and the unfortified nature of life. Jennifer Niven deeply etched the characters in the minds of its audience. Niven didn’t romanticize the pain and suffering the characters experienced, but rather gave emphasis and showed how realistically messy and exhausting it is to deal with. But on the other hand, Niven also showed that there is hope for a change. That even in our darkest moments, we can be a beacon of light to others—and that is through choosing kindness. With the help of Brett Haley’s directing the film, both outstanding artists, Elle Fanning and Justice Smith, encapsulates both the beauty and devastating aspects of life with their given characters. Besides, if you are also an avid fan of romance with an angsty ending, this movie is made for you! 

All The Bright Places serves as a reminder to be compassionate and be aware of other people, mental health does not come in age. You may never know the internal battles that they are facing everyday, and it is significant that you show benevolence. And for those who are struggling, it is okay to seek and ask for help. You are seen, and you matter. Even when you’re faced with grief and hopelessness, let this story remind us that the art of noticing, listening, and caring can save one’s life—and sometimes it is in ways we never thought we needed. In this time of our lives, as the holidays are approaching, we should ask ourselves these questions: When was the last time you asked yourself how you were doing? Or when was the last time you checked in on your loved ones? Despite the immense pressure and the set-backs that life throws, it is important to reflect, seize the day, and cherish the moments with our treasured souls—for every fragile heart carries its own weight and at times, all it takes is one kind gesture to make them feel seen and heard.

Take a deep breath, and keep your fingers crossed! Better days are coming soon.

“There is beauty in the most unexpected places. And that there are bright places, even in dark times. And if there isn’t, you can be that bright place with infinite capacities.” — Violet Markey