The Critique of the film “Every Day”

Introduction

Every Day is a 2018 American romantic fantasy drama film directed by Michael Sucsy
and written by Jesse Andrews, based on the 2012 novel of the same name by David Levithan. It
was released on February 23, 2018. The movies stars were Angourie Rice, Justice Smith, Debby
Ryan, and Maria Bello.

For today’s generation where pretty things are most likely to be appreciated, there is this
something that we forget, the value of acceptance. Accepting who we really are and the situation
we are in. We forget to see perfection in imperfection, the goodness that lies within and most
importantly the beauty in ourselves. The film had brought us to different people of different races
with different stories to tell. While watching the movie, as I try to get to know the characters,
especially “A” and Rhiannon, I began to realize that acceptance doesn’t mean resignation; it
means understanding that something is what it is and that there’s got to be a way through it
which lead me to the question, what is life without acceptance? Would love still be called
magical?

Summary

“A” is a travelling spirit who wakes up in the body of a different male or female teenager,
every day. “A” wakes up in the body of Justin, the neglectful boyfriend of Rhiannon. At school,
Rhiannon approaches “A,” in the form of Justin, and she convinces “A” to skip school with her.
As the day goes on, “A” falls in love with Rhiannon, as she confides to Justin her troubled home
life, following her dad’s mental breakdown that almost resulted in her family losing their home.
Rhiannon, in return, feels a rekindled love for Justin, seeing as he has seemingly changed into a
more thoughtful and caring person than he was before. The next day, Rhiannon finds that Justin
has reverted back to his old, careless self, and doesn’t even remember the day before.
Meanwhile, waking up in the body of Amy, “A” masquerades as an exchange student in order to
be close with Rhiannon.

“A” wakes up in the body of devout Christian Nathan, and attends a party “A” is aware
Rhiannon will also be attending. Connecting with her through dance, “A” and Rhiannon bond as
Nathan tells Rhiannon that she deserves better than Justin, before “A”, as Nathan, is chased off
by Justin. A few days later, “A” texts Rhiannon, asking that she meet “A” alone, and she does,
under the assumption that she is meeting Nathan. However, “A” shows up as Megan, disclosing
to Rhiannon that “A” was Justin and Amy and Nathan and that “A” is falling in love with her.
Although disdained at first, Rhiannon agrees to meet with “A” the next day, with “A” now in the
body of James. “A” tells Rhiannon that “A” has been shifting bodies every day since “A” was a
baby. “A” discloses that “A” keeps a private Instagram account with pictures taken every day in
every body “A” is in, and that Rhiannon can communicate with “A” through that account.
Meeting with Nathan, who believes he was possessed by the devil, Rhiannon realizes that “A” is
real. The next day, “A” in the body of transgender Vic, convinces Rhiannon to give “A” a
chance, despite of the fact that “A” shifts forms every day, explaining to her that it is the soul
that counts, not the body. After giving some thoughts, Rhiannon decides to see “A” again when
she receives a message to meet up in a library. “A,” in the body of home-schooled boy George,
talks about growing up to the realization that he/she is different from someone else. While trying
to help George completing his homework, Rhiannon and “A” shares an intimate moment before
getting cut off by the arrival of George’s mother. Rhiannon then runs away gleefully, and texts
“A” greetings before she goes to sleep.

The next morning, “A” is surprised to have awakened in the body of Rhiannon herself,
and sees it as an opportunity to get to know Rhiannon better. “A” promises to be respectful of
Rhiannon’s privacy and her life; not taking the opportunity to break up with Justin or catch a
peek at Rhiannon’s naked body. Over the course of the day, “A” bonds with Rhiannon’s mom as
well as her sister and father. The next day, Rhiannon breaks up with Justin, having finally the
courage to do so. Then, she immediately calls “A” for a weekend getaway trip at her uncle’s
cabin. “A” in the body of handsome Xavier, talks about the day “A” was in Rhiannon’s body.
Rhiannon tells “A” that leaving a mark can be a wonderful thing so people will know “A”
exists, but “A” feels that it’s his obligation to leave one’s memory unchanged. At the end of the
day, “A” kisses Rhiannon goodbye and promises to come back tomorrow. The next day,
Rhiannon waits for “A,” but he never shows up. Rhiannon, deeply disappointed, can’t stop
wondering where “A” went. “A” wakes up in the body of Michael, who is supposed to fly to
Honolulu with his family. “A” calls Rhiannon urgently to meet up at a nearby mall, narrowly
escaping from Michael’s mom. Back to Rhiannon’s house, Rhiannon lashes out at “A” for not
showing up, while “A” explains that the body she/he was in was under lung transplant. Rhiannon
and “A” get intimate later and promise each other that they will figure it out on how to keep this
relationship.

Waking up in the body of the suicidal and depressed Kelsea, Rhiannon convinces “A” to
attempt to hold onto Kelsea’s body for more than twenty-four hours, in order to keep Kelsea
alive until Kelsea’s doctor father returns from the hospital, so he can be alerted of Kelsea’s
illness. When “A” is successful, Rhiannon soon convinces him/her, in the body of the next host
and a schoolmate of Rhiannon’s; Alexander, to stay in Alexander’s body, so they can be together
whenever. For a short time, this seems to work, but soon, “A” realizes that they cannot just take
somebody else’s life away from him/her. Inviting Rhiannon over to Alexander’s house, “A,” tells
Rhiannon that they cannot realistically be together forever, and that Alexander himself is perfect
for Rhiannon. Sharing one last night together, Rhiannon and “A” kiss goodbye and lie down to
wait for “A” to fall asleep. The next day, “A” awakens in the body of Katie and drives away to
New York, while Rhiannon meets up with Alexander at school. Alexander asks Rhiannon if
anyone ever told her that she has a nice smile. Rhiannon smiles back at Alexander as they walk
away together.
 The film concludes with an Instagram photo of a small firework shown above what is
listed as “Central Park, New York city,” symbolizing that “A” made it to New York.

Review/Critique

At the scale of 1 to 10, I would rate this movie 9. Each character of the movie, scene and
costume were wonderfully planned to make a film worth repeated viewing. The cinematography,
with the use of artificial and natural light, helps convey the feelings of love between the
protagonists. Angourie Rice is very beautiful in every angle of the camera and you can really see
the emotions through her eyes and how she delivers the lines. The message was very clear. The
movie makes you formulate questions like “Who will be the next person “A” will possess? or
will Rhiannon and A make it up together?” The pair depicts power, equality, careful
communication and genuine respect for one another. The story is well planned. All in all, the
movie is very inspiring and beautiful in nature.

Conclusion.

After watching the movie, I was very amazed by the lesson that it gave me, love always
coincides with acceptance. Rhiannon accepts A not because of the body or face he is in but
because he is A. She loves him because of the beautiful soul he possesses. If we are her, how
could we love someone we didn’t know how he looks like with a very unusual life? That would
be hard. Love is not all about it binds all differences, heals all wounds, believes in the
impossible but is also accepting what is not meant for you, just like what A did. He bid goodbye
to Rhiannon to finally set her free so she can experience true happiness that she deserves in the
hands of Alexander as well as accepting his fortune, his life.

Every Day is not just a love story. It is also a letter to everyone which reminds us that we
all deserve to be seen for what’s underneath our skin, and respected for it.