If I Stay – by Fran Winston

Directed by: R. J. Cutler

Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Mireille Enos, Jamie Blackley, Joshua Leonard, Stacy Keach, Aisha Hinds, Liana Liberato

In cinemas September 29th

Based on the Young Adult novel of the same name Moretz plays talented teen cellist Mia whose thoughts in life revolve around her boyfriend Adam (Blackley) her family and her music. Having auditioned for prestigious music academy Julliard she is anxiously awaiting news of whether or not she got in when a snow day is declared.

She and her family decide to visit her grandparents but en route their car goes off the road and suddenly Mia finds herself standing on the sidelines watching paramedics working on her. In a coma and critically ill she finds herself wandering the hospital having an out of body experience as the story of her life is told in flashbacks. As loved ones gather around her bed she learns that her family haven’t survived. Now an orphan she must decide whether to cross over to wake up in a world where all she has left is Adam.

The book on which this was based was a huge hit so it was only a matter of time before it was adapted for the screen. The problem with heavy material like this for young audiences is that young actors don’t always have the emotional pathos to carry the lead roles. While Moretz is something of a veteran at this stage and gives a solid performance neither Blackley nor Liberato (as her best friend Kim) are totally convincing in the darker more serious scenes. Thankfully veteran actor Keach is on hand to give a fantastic performance as her distraught Grandpa whose gruff exterior breaks down upon seeing her lying in her hospital bed. Equally Leonard and Enos as her parents give great performances to which help to elevate the whole movie. Given the subject matter it is not surprising that this tugs at your heartstrings. However it all feels a little bit manipulative. As the story progresses every trick and cliché in the book is employed to ensure that the audience feel maximum anguish for Mia’s fate. However, because it feels as if they are forcing it upon you this doesn’t always work. Indeed at times you wonder how they thought they could get away which such shameless coercion of the viewer. Overall this means that it never quite reaches the tear-jerking levels that it hopes to. It also gets rather schmaltzy at times as Mia and Adam’s by the numbers relationship develops.

This aside this is a sweet movie that does manage to engage an audience. If you can get past the saccharine there are lovely scenes with Mia and her family and although it is aimed at a YA audience older viewers will also relate to this on some level. It is well paced and the ending leaves you wanting more (which can’t be a coincidence since there is a sequel to the novel). A good mid week watch this is ideal to take your mind off your troubles for a couple of hours and remind you that there’s always someone worse off.