CINEMA rating:
PG13
Technical assessment: 3
Moral assessment: 3.5
Stella Grant (Haley Lu Richardson), a teenage patient of
cystic fibrosis (CF) is restricted with routine regimen and to observe at least
6-feet apart from fellow CF patients to lessen the risk of cross infection for
their life-threatening illness. Stella adheres to this restriction and makes
herself engaged instead into social media where she shares awareness about CF.
At the hospital she meets Will Newman (Cole Sprouse), also a CF patient
who is on medication trial but unlike Stella, Will is not diligent about the
restrictions of their sickness. Stella reminds him to observe the
rules which Will agrees on the condition that they draw each other closer thus
they shorten distance from six to five feet apart. The two of them
start falling for each other and secretly go on dates. When Stella’s best
friend Poe (Moises Ramirez) dies, she is saddened that she never gets to hug
him because of the required distance. She realizes not to let her condition
waste her life, not being able to touch the people she loves. Wearing gloves so
she can hold hands with Will, their next date brings them to the pool edge
where she falls and is brought to emergency.
Five Feet Apart is
both an informative and touching story about cystic fibrosis disease and the
struggle of people suffering from this illness. There is creativity in the
title and including Stella’s vlogging activity in social media for raising
awareness about cystic fibrosis as a genetic disorder. The director
did a good job in his melancholy yet hopeful treatment of the film.
Richardson stands out in her acting and she effectively engages the viewers in
sympathizing with the character of Stella. The final scene with her thought of
Will is a very touching moment of the film. The production establishes well the
hospital setting. The rest of technical aspects such as sound,
lights and music are all appropriate. The editing is likewise commendable for
the smooth transition of scenes from hospital to dating venues. While similar
themes have been dealt on in many films, Five Feet Apart differs
in the characters’ light treatment of their life-threatening illness.
No matter how depressing and life-threatening the
situation—choose life. This is the message of the film Five Feet
Apart. Despite the reality of the life-threatening illness, Stella
remains hopeful and enthusiastic about living life. Illness, marital
problem of parents, and sudden death in the family may lead some people to
depression but the film presents an optimistic character. This may serve as an
inspiration especially for viewers in similar situation. The film puts to good
use the presence of social media as a companion in Stella’s journey, and as
information tool to raise public awareness about cystic fibrosis as a genetic
disorder. The film is also a good reminder for sick people to be cooperative
with their treatment and not to give their caregivers a hard time. Along
with the main message of choosing life, the film is also about compassion,
diligence, love, and sacrifice.—IBD
DIRECTOR: Justin Baldoni
LEAD CAST: Haley Lu Richardson, Cole Sprouse, Moises Arias PRODUCER: Cathy Schulman, Justin Baldoni SCREENWRITER: Mikki Daughtry, Tobias
Iaconis MUSIC: Brian Tyler, Breton
Vivian CINEMATOGRAPHER: Frank G. DeMarco
EDITOR: Angela M. Catanzaro PRODUCTION COMPANY: CBS Films, Welle
Entertainment, Wayfarer Entertainment DISTRIBUTOR:
CBS Films, Lionsgate COUNTRY: United States
LANGUAGE: English RUNNING TIME:
116 minutes
