Tackling Realities of Peer Pressure In “BEFORE I FALL”

A story of self-discovery for the young ones, especially high school students going through peer pressure and acceptance, “Before I Fall” is a film based on the popular young adult novel of the same title by Lauren Oliver. 

Directed by Russo-Young, “Before I Fall” brings us back to high school, a period we all quickly go through but seems to have lasting impact in our lives.  The film sees a young popular girl, Sam (Zoey Deutch) who needs to relive a day in her high school life seven times before getting it right.

Sam seemed to have everything a teenage girl could want: popularity, a hot boyfriend, cool status, fun friends, loving family and seeming happiness.  But beyond the superficial, Sam’s life wasn’t so charmed. She was one of a clique of high school mean girls who made life hellish for those different from them.  When she’s killed in a car accident, Sam is forced to relive her last day on Earth seven times in order to get things right.  She attempts to make sense of what befell her and gain a better understanding of herself and others. In the process Sam evolves, learns to be a good person and comes to accept her fate. 

Popular Girl Lives and Dies Seven Times In “BEFORE I FALL”

Zoey Deutsch, who recently played James Franco’s smart girlfriend in “Why Him?” stars anew as in the deeply touching book-to-movie adaptation “Before I Fall”. 

In “Before I Fall,” Deutsch plays Sam, a high school student who has everything a girl could want:  popularity, a hot boyfriend, cool status, fun friends, loving family and seeming happiness.  But beyond the superficial, Sam’s life wasn’t so charmed. She was one of a clique of high school mean girls who made life hellish for those different  from them.  When she’s killed in a car accident, Sam is forced to relive her last day on Earth seven times in order to get things right.  She attempts to make sense of what befell her and gain a better understanding of herself and others. In the process Sam evolves, learns to be a good person and comes to accept her fate. 

Based on the book of the same title by Lauren Oliver, “Before I Fall” is set on Feb. 12, which at the high school Sam attends, is known as Cupid Day. With her looks and popularity, Sam has never given much thought to others, especially those not as blessed with teenage good fortune. But on a fateful day, her last, she begins to figure things out.