Review: All Together Now

Amber Appleton (Auli’i Cravalho) is known for going above and beyond to help others and never asks for anything in return. When she falls on hard times, she has to learn to take a helping hand to overcome her personal hardships and achieve her dreams. 

When the film opens, we see Amber working various jobs to get some cash. She works at a donut shop and helps seniors, both at a home and teaching choir.

At the end of her busy day, she finally gets to go “home.” For Amber, that’s on the school bus her mother (Justina Machado) drives. 

After the loss of her father, her mother made a few bad decisions, including alcohol and an abusive boyfriend that resulted in their current situation. This is why Amber works so tirelessly. She’s determined to get their lives back on track and save enough money to get into an apartment. 

While dealing with the stress of her home life, she turns to music. It is her dream to go to Carnegie Mellon, just like her father. She gets one step closer when she receives an invitation to audition for the school. Now, on top of saving money for a home, she has to fit a plane ticket in her budget.

With a sunny disposition and a smile on her face, Ambers group of friends have no idea that she’s struggling. She puts their needs in front of her own, and she even devotes herself every year to put on a variety show to raise money for their school. 

One night her mom doesn’t show up at their makeshift home. Amber finds out she has gotten back together with her abusive boyfriend. Hurt and betrayed, she runs away with her friend and crush Ty (Rhenzy Feliz). After an amazing weekend away, she comes back to devastating news. 

Amber becomes a shell of who she once was. She starts to give up her dream to make ends meet. Luckily she’s left an impact on those around her, and she finally has to learn to accept help from those she loves. 

I won’t lie; this movie came for every tear in my body. I was a sobbing mess for an hour. I had watched the trailer thinking this was going to be a fun movie about a girl chasing her dreams. Sure, I knew there was a dramatic element, but I didn’t expect my emotions to hit me like a freight train. 

To be honest, the trailer feels like a bait and switch. All Together Now may not be the movie you expect it to be. This is not your typical young adult movie, with teens figuring out life, set to upbeat pop music. This is a powerful story that may leave you heartbroken and hopeful. 

If you are familiar with director Brett Haley’s previous films, Hearts Beat Loud and All the Bright Places, they’re not your standard carefree teen films. You can expect the same somber tone those two movies hold in All Together Now.

And sure, this is a “teen” story, so there are a few scenes that are a bit predictable. But, the way they are executed has a strong impact, even if you know what’s coming. And that is a true testament to the direction and the acting.

Auli’i Cravalho is known for her work in Disney’s Moana. After this, I honestly feel like we will be seeing her in more mature roles in the future. She is a force to be reckoned with and is a truly wonderful actress that broke every piece of my heart with her performance. 

Many may know Justina Machado from Netflix’s (now the POP network’s) One Day at a Time. This role is a far cry from the mother you are used to seeing her as. There is a scene toward the last forty minutes of the film where Amber confronts her mother, and the acting between the two was just shockingly powerful. This is where tears pricked my eyes and decided not to leave for the remainder of the film. 

In conclusion, if you are looking for something light and fun, this movie isn’t it. But if you are in the mood for a story that will tug at your heart and make you cry your eyes out, this one is for you. All Together Now is a well-written story that is fantastically acted. Sure, it can be a little predictable, but the story never loses its impact. Just make sure to keep a box of tissues close.