A 2020 drama is only 1 hr 48 min.long.It deals with a pair of teenagers based on a novel by the same name.One poster shows two young people walking in the woods.In another poster two people are atop a stone & laughing from ear to ear. i promise I had no intention of completing it ,but of course I did & found a very unsettling tale.
The jerky motion of the camera in the opening frame when Theo is jogging made me cringe.I am so used to viewer friendly camera work in Korean & Chinese dramas That it was too much.The mood on top was too sombre but yes the story is gripping.Violet is shown standing on a ledge of the bridge where Theo happens to reach in time.He starts following her routine.Catches up in the canteen & so on.There is only intrigue,he texts her with some quotes by Virginia Wolfe & she responds.They jog together.He learns of her sister’s accident on that bridge.She has come from California & doesn’t like Indiana.Their teacher gives an assignment & Theo convinces her to become his partner.To explore places in Indiana.She refuses to ride his car so they go on bike.Later he convinces her parents & explore by car.She finds her laughter.
Theo is labelled as a freak by his classmates & is receiving help of a psychologist.But he tries to help Violet out of her blues.On one occasion,both stay out for a night.Her parents panic & when his car reaches her place,push her in & ask him to leave.He is shocked & is gone for days.Nobody knows where.His friends know he has his patches.But Violet is at a loss.Theo comes back to find Violet in his room ,waiting for him.He asks her to leave.
He disappears again & Violet finds his clothes near the waterside.His father’s abuse has a toll on him,to recover he finds solace in solitude But finally he fails to cope up & takes his own life.Mind is a secret garden.The many thoughts take control make up the psyche.How do we know if we are normal? What are the norms? One who abides by rules is obedient but is that always good?Aren’t we also trying to please,so trying or suppressing our own feelings? & those who are rebels,are they happy–because they do what they like? Following or exercising your way –may not be the only right way!What is right?What you like?What you have always done?So somebody else may have another right way which according to you is wrong! Who gets to decide what’s right & what’s not?May be there are certain grey areas?
The rush,the pace is something I don’t like.It hinders the thinking of the viewer.Please give him some credit.The end is not what we expect but such stories never have a happy end.Violet finds a place ,peace within & understands what her friend had been trying to teach.Life’s lessons are far & within & film is an honest attempt to venter further in the bright places.The final presentation scene where Violet attempts to explain’ bright places’ is the highlight of the film.
All the places are bright because you make them that.The team manages to rise above the novel & help those who need it.Not every teenager is fortunate enough to have a Theo beside them.To find a way out of the maze needs guidance & society is working for it.Psychology is a field that encompasses & touches every facet of our lives.We seldom understand the need & rarely help in a way needed.Today’s stressful lifestyle makes it a necessity to find guidance at every step. Happy growing!
Asian Entertainment 