Fix: YA adaptation, college transition, one jam-packed night (a la Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist)
Platforms: Netflix
Source Material
Title: Hello, Goodbye and Everything in Between
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Published: 2015
Netflix Summary:
Clare and Aidan make a pact to break up before college — no regrets, no broken hearts. But will one epic goodbye date offer them a last chance at love?
FYA Summary:
When I reviewed Jennifer E. Smith’s novel (that this film is based on), I applauded her for starting with the end of a relationship versus the beginning, and I stand by that with this adaptation. It’s refreshing to watch what happens after “happily ever after” but sans the adult drama—these two protagonists are just graduating from high school, so the stakes are high in their eyes but not THAT high for us adults.
So yeah, as Netflix indicates, Clare and Aidan meet at the beginning of senior year and, thanks to the impact of Clare’s unlucky-in-love mom, they make a promise to break up before college. But as we all know, the heart doesn’t work like that, and on the eve of Clare heading off to Dartmouth, Aidan plans a night packed with memories to convince her that they can make it work.
Familiar (And Unfamiliar) Faces:
L-R: Ayo Edebiri, Talia Ryder, Jordan Fisher, Nico Hiraga
Talia Ryder as Clare
As Clare, Talia is totally the insert-YA-heroine-here, and I mean that in the best way. She’s winsome and charming while still being relatable, and while some of y’all might recognize her from West Side Story, this was my first introduction to her, and I could totally see her playing any number of Sarah Dessen protagonists.
Jordan Fisher as Aidan
By this point, Jordan Fisher is YA adaption royalty. He was John Ambrose for god’s sakes!!! (#JohnAmbroseWasRobbed) And it’s awesome to see him take center stage as a romantic lead. Dude is hot and goofy and very convincing as the one high school boy you could actually end up marrying.
Ayo Edebiri as Stella
Y’all!!! I was like, invested in Clare and Aidan’s story, but I’m sorry, Ayo (as Stella) totally stole the show. She plays a recently-out-of-the-closet lesbian who doesn’t realize how damn cool she is, and she’s constantly uttering throw-away jokes that made me legit CHORTLE.
Nico Hiraga as Scotty
It’s Seth from Moxie!!! As Scotty, Nico leans in to being the wacky wingman to Aidan, and intentional or not, dude had me swooning. His plans after high school? “Houseboat.” Um YES PLEASE.
Couch-Sharing Capability: How Big Is Your Book Club?
Look, no offense to anyone’s straight husband, but this movie is half sweet romance, half montages set to pop indie bands. It’s the Netflix version of a beach read, so I would recommend either watching it with a YA-loving crew or just enjoying it by yourself with your summer beverage of choice.
Recommended Level of Inebriation: Red Solo Cup It
The plot isn’t what I would call complicated, and there’s a house party scene, so I would encourage you to throw back a few bevvies and toast to being out of high school for X number of years because gah, it was so complicated and we took ourselves WAY seriously.
Use of Your Streaming Subscription: Easy Breezy
I enjoyed the book, and I enjoyed the adaptation. Sure, it’s not on the same level as TATBILB or Along for the Ride, but it’s a fun joy ride back to that liminal time of senior year, when the whole world beckoned, and you were excited and scared and everything in between.
