Entertainment
By Jamie Thompson
Updated: March 6, 2020
Originally Published: March 6, 2020
Content Warning
Content Warning: suicide, mental health issues.
As someone who has navigated the complexities of mental illness, I found Netflix’s All The Bright Places both challenging and relatable. The film opens with a heavy topic: suicide. We meet high school student Lily Hayes as she stands on the edge of a bridge, grappling with her life after the tragic loss of her sister in a car accident. Just then, Oliver Finch, an outsider and fellow student, jogs by and climbs up beside her, urging her to step back from the ledge.
This moment sparks a turbulent yet meaningful relationship between two individuals wrestling with their own mental health challenges. While Oliver seeks to help Lily emerge from her grief, his own struggles with mental illness and a difficult past begin to surface.
I must admit, there are scenes in the film that resonate deeply. Oliver often remarks, “People don’t like messy,” highlighting the stigma surrounding mental health. He uses this to explain why he’s often labeled as the school’s “freak” and why he hesitates to discuss his traumatic experiences.
During my own high school years, I faced a similar situation. With my father incarcerated on drug-related charges and my parents divorced, I lived with my grandmother. When people asked about my family, I crafted countless fabrications, ranging from mundane excuses to outright lies about my parents being on a church mission or having passed away. I suspect many who grew up in chaotic environments can relate to this need for deception to mask their reality.
A pivotal scene occurs when Oliver attends a support group for teens grappling with mental health issues. The group begins to open up when Amanda, a seemingly perfect and popular girl from school, rushes in late. Her presence surprises Oliver, but it also offers him a strange comfort in knowing that even those who appear flawless have their own battles. Amanda bravely shares her experiences with suicide attempts and bulimia, reminding us that everyone has hidden struggles.
This kind of honesty is what we need more of in media. We often don’t know the burdens others carry, and it’s crucial that we foster an environment where mental health can be discussed openly, much like any other health issue. We should aim for a world where individuals feel free to speak about their struggles without the fear of judgment or stigma.
If discussions around suicide resonate with you, consider this: while All The Bright Places is an emotional journey, it may be difficult to watch. The performances are compelling, though not stellar, and some scenes may raise eyebrows—not always for the right reasons. While I wanted to root for Oliver, there were moments when his behavior shifted from charming to unsettling.
However, if you’re searching for a narrative that captures the essence of living with mental illness, All The Bright Places does a commendable job of illustrating that reality. It emphasizes how prevalent mental health challenges are and encourages societal acceptance of these issues, rather than forcing individuals to pretend they don’t exist. That’s a message I wholeheartedly support.
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Summary
All The Bright Places is a poignant exploration of mental illness, highlighting the struggles many face while emphasizing the importance of open dialogue about mental health. It reveals that everyone has their hidden battles, and encourages viewers to embrace honesty and vulnerability.
Keyphrase: All The Bright Places review
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