Families – there’s a new movie in select theatres (yes, theatres!) this Friday, August 21st, and it’s one to check out especially if you have a teen.
It’s called Words on Bathroom Walls, and it’s based on a popular young adult novel by Julia Walton. It’s a love story about a high school senior who is diagnosed with a mental illness. He tries to keep it a secret while falling in love -=with a brilliant classmate who inspires him to open his heart and not be defined by his condition.
My (Spoiler-Free) Movie Review:
I watched the movie this week so I can review it. (I watched it by myself as I thought it might be too mature for my kids.)
I thought it was a beautiful movie. It’s 1 hour and 50 minutes, and it’s PG-13 for language and dark themes. The movie is more about Adam’s schizophrenia than about his love life. He struggles with changes in his family and recently diagnosed mental illness, as his family tries to support him and tries new medications to help him. Well, the medications cause side effects, and he doesn’t feel he can talk to his family honestly. It’s real and raw, and Maya is one ray of light in his daily life.
Like with most movies, I thought that many things were exaggerated. I wasn’t sure that people were just being cold and heartless to Adam, or if his schizophrenia made him perceive the world that way, and that’s simply what the movie was showing us. But I thought the way the world was handling his mental illness was very outdated and demeaning. In this way I didn’t feel it was realistic, but the movie had a good message and is definitely worth seeing. (I agree with the movie’s rating though and I don’t recommend it for kids under 13.)
Synopsis:
WORDS ON BATHROOM WALLS tells the story of Adam (Charlie Plummer), who appears to be your typical young adult – a little unkempt with raging hormones and excited about a future pursuing his dream of becoming a chef. Expelled halfway through his senior year, Adam is diagnosed with a mental illness that he keeps secret at his new school. Living in constant fear of being exposed, Adam finds a soulful, comforting connection in Maya (Taylor Russell), an outspoken and fiercely intelligent girl who inspires him to open his heart and not be defined by his condition. With the love and support of his newfound romance and family, Adam is hopeful for the very first time that he can see the light and triumph over the challenges that lie ahead. The film also stars Andy Garcia, AnnaSophia Robb, Beth Grant, Devon Bostick, Lobo Sebastian, with Molly Parker and Walton Goggins.
It’s 111 minutes and rated PG-13.
Directed by Thor Freudenthal
Written by Nick Naveda
Based on Julia Walton’s novel of the same name
Starring Charlie Plummer, Andy Garcia, Taylor Russell, AnnaSophia Robb, Beth Grant, Devon Bostick,
Lobo Sebastian, with Molly Parker and Walton Goggins
Watch the official trailer:
Giveaway
I have 5 copies of the digital book to give away!
Enter for up to 10 chances to win a copy by filling out the Rafflecopter form below by Thursday, August 20th at 11:00pm. Good luck!
(Disclosure: I am receiving a copy of this book in exchange for hosting this giveaway. All opinions are 100% mine.)
Heather B says
Thank you for the giveaway! This looks like a good movie, I hadn’t heard of it before now!