Five Feet Apart
Film
Review by Kam Williams
Romance
Drama Revolves around Forbidden Love between Hospitalized Teens
Stella
Grant (Haley Lu Richardson) is a typical 17 year-old in most regards.
However, she is also suffering from Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a genetic
disease which makes her very susceptible to a variety of breathing
disorders.
Consequently,
she spends much of her time in the hospital receiving a “tune up”
for this or that malady. She's currently receiving treatment for
bronchitis on a ward with several fellow CF patients, including her
gay BFF, Poe (Moises Arias), although there is a strictly-enforced
rule that they stay at least six feet apart at all times, because
they could easily infect each other.
That
regulation is put to the test upon the arrival of newcomer Will
Newman (Cole Sprouse), a CF victim with a bacteria which would prove
fatal should Stella catch it from him. For, the two kids fall in love
at first sight, so they find it hard to resist their raging hormones'
urge to merge.
Luckily,
nurse Barb (Kimberly Hebert Gregory) is there to monitor the
movements of the young patients. She has been particularly vigilant
to prevent any rendezvous on her watch, ever since an incident that
led to a tragic ending.
Thus
unfolds Five Feet Apart, a
bittersweet romance drama marking the noteworthy, feature film
directorial debut of actor Justin Baldoni (Jane the Virgin). Baldoni
deserves considerable credit for coaxing impressive performances out
of Haley Lu Richardson and Cole Sprouse who manage to generate
convincing chemistry in challenging roles where they can't touch each
other.
The
movie's sole flaw rests in its unnecessarily adding a melodramatic
twist more appropriate for a soap opera. During the picture's
climactic moment, we suddenly learn that Stella's prayers for a lung
transplant might have miraculously just been answered. A distracting
rabbit-out-the-hat development that almost ruins an otherwise
poignant love story.
Very
Good (3 stars)
Rated
PG-13 for profanity, mature themes and suggestive material
Running
time: 116 minutes
Production
Companies: CBS Films / Wayfarer Entertainment
Distributors:
CBS Films / Lionsgate
