Ultimately, the universe doesn't care about us

Rhiannon (Angouri Rice) doesn't just have to deal with the normal problems of a 16-year-old teenage girl. There are also some troubles in her family that are getting to her on a daily basis. So it comes in handy when her boyfriend Justin 8(Justice Smith) whisks her away from normality for one wonderful day. She experiences moments of pure happiness - unaware that Justice is not himself that day. Rather, for 24 hours, a mysterious soul being named A lives inside the boy. Day after day, A awakens in a new body and takes over the life of that girl or boy for 24 hours. A never reveals his true identity - until the soul meets Rhiannon. There is a very special bond between the two, which is why A reveals himself to her. At first, of course, Rhiannon doesn't believe a word, but when she realizes that A really exists, it's the beginning of a very special love story that has to overcome new challenges day after day. But can a happy ending even be possible under these circumstances?

In the end, the universe doesn't care about us, young adult author David Levithan (Nick & Norah - Soundtrack of a Night) landed a real bestseller, which will even be continued in summer 2018 with Someday. Director Michael Sucsy (Forever Love) has adapted the original teen fantasy romance for the screen with award-winning screenwriter and writer Jesse Andrews (Me and Earl and the Girl). Even if - which is actually the norm with novel adaptations - some aspects of the book have been altered or come up short, this adaptation is in itself really well done.

This is commendable in that the most difficult hurdle has been credibly overcome: The film had to make it believable, in a relatively short amount of time and with then somewhat limited cinematic resources, that Rhiannon really does love A - even if there's a different person in front of her every day. No matter if it's a boy or a girl, a smart jock type or an unassuming nerd, the feelings are always the same. Of course, this can be described much more intensely in the book, and thus more comprehensibly for the readers. In the movie, the makers have to succeed in making A, with all his different faces, seem like one person. And they really succeeded.

Even if some aspects are a bit cheesy and especially in dramaturgical terms there are clear weaknesses - so the problems in Rihannon's parental home are really dealt with too superficially - Sucsy manages thanks to his well-chosen ensemble, atmospheric images and a fitting soundtrack to build up the love overcoming all boundaries and prejudices in a rousing and empathetic way. But there was still one big problem for Sucsy and Andrews to solve: the ending. Of course we won't reveal that here. Only so much perhaps: At this resolution the minds will divide. But if you think about it, the ending they chose is the most consistent and logical solution for such a fantastic story. And with that, it is also completely satisfying.

In the end, the universe doesn't care about us is a beautiful love story for a young cinema audience. Not free of clichés, kitsch and weaknesses, but also very original, in some moments even gratifyingly brave, funny and touching. And for that, it definitely gets a: Absolutely worth seeing!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp