Stenberg and Robinson are enormously appealing young actors, but charisma only goes so far in a story that manages to be, as directed by Stella Meghie, sterile and wildly far-fetched.
Stenberg's relaxed charisma carries what is a rather preposterous premise... Aside from its leading lady, what "Everything, Everything" has going for it is its light, fantastical aesthetic and unexpected sense of buoyancy.
Engrossing and not too sugar-sweet, Meghie's movie is slightly paranoid, surprisingly fantastical and superb at translating the overwhelming stupor of first love with big, bold shots and a banging soundtrack.
What starts out as a reasonably fresh take on stories about debilitating illnesses and unrequited young love winds up as a heavy-handed melodrama that lacks the courage to follow through on its convictions.
If you're looking for a film to jumpstart your feeling body and throw you back into your teens, watch Everything, Everything. You may come out of it a wiser adult.
Everything, Everything is not for everyone, but it will satisfy a certain subset of teenage girls who are compelled by watching fragile girls come-of-age with the help of a pretty boy.
