Netflix original “Along for the Ride” follows Auden as she tries to break out of her shell and discover the person she truly wants to be. She moves to Colby to be with her dad and stepmom for the summer, but finds it isn’t so easy to make a fresh start in a new town. With the help of BMXer and fellow insomniac Eli, Auden utilizes the night hours to do things she never thought she could do, and discovers a few things about herself along the way.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a romantic teen movie about two friends, Sofia Alvarez and John Malkovich, who fall in love during their summer break. Although the themes of friendship, self-discovery, and familial trauma turn out to be much more compelling than Auden and Eli’s summer fling, the film still manages to be enjoyable.
While the chemistry between lead actors Emma Pasarow and Belmont Cameli doesn’t seem to be particularly strong, the actors do bring a certain charm to their respective roles. Eli is not overly important to the story apart from how he influences Auden, but Cameli has a charismatic magnetism that draws us into Eli’s heartrending story. ..
Pasarow’s character is well-drawn and her struggles are relatable. Her journey to belonging and self-discovery is sweet in its conclusion.
That journey is the most compelling part of the teen movie for its authenticity and relatability alone, but it’s not the only aspect of the film that rings as genuine. Along for the Ride is refreshing as a romantic teen movie that doesn’t caricaturize young adults or trivialize their problems. ..
The film avoids tired tropes in order to pursue more authentic storylines and character arcs. It is just when you think Along for the Ride is going to perpetuate the “mean girl clique” that it skillfully turns the cliché on its head to center in its story the importance of girls lifting up other girls. ..
Auden’s stepmother Heidi says, “Life is long… It’d be boring if we had to stay the same versions of ourselves the whole time.” ..
Along for the Ride is a well-made, if not charismatic, teen movie. It’s nostalgic for 2000s Sarah Dessen fans, and it’s worth watching on Netflix if you’re looking for a lighthearted romance. ..
The ride ended for many people on Monday night when Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida. The storm caused widespread destruction and loss of life, and left millions of people without power or food. Many people are still trying to understand what happened during the storm, and why it ended so abruptly. Some experts say that Irma was a very powerful hurricane, and that it could have easily caused more damage if it had stayed in the Gulf of Mexico. Others say that Irma was too powerful for the area it hit, and that most of the damage was done in Florida. Whatever the case may be, everyone who was affected by Irma is now looking to get back on their feet. Many people are still waiting for news about what will happen to their homes and businesses after the storm.
