Diandra Reviews It All

Synopsis: Still reeling from his breakup, Adam (Justin Long) is devastated when he learns that his ex (Cobie Smulders) is engaged. What’s worse is he’s invited to the wedding. When Adam returns home for the festivities, he must confront his unresolved feelings and an uncertain future in hopes of convincing himself and everyone else that he is truly happy for her. There he discovers the comedy in romance, the tragedy of letting go and the hard truth about growing up. *Official Selection of 2017 Tribeca Film Festival*

Literally Right Before Aaron is a cross between Wedding Crashers, 500 Days of Summer, and a bit of The Graduate. If that does not sound like the most charming film ever then please stop reading! Justin Long becomes the human epicenter of both this movie, and every person who has struggled to move on from “the one”.

Justin Long as Adam beautifully spears and guides Literally, Right Before Aaron. I cannot fathom this film or its success without the pain of his big,brown eyes and perfectly timed humor. He is the heart of this movie and will be so for its viewers who will find deep relevance in his eagerness to prove he is happy, but his blatant demeanor at showing he is not. While the film’s has hilarious bits of physical comedy, i.e. a tennis match that made me giggle with tension, what notches it above the so many rom-coms’ based on “letting go” is the chemistry between the cast. Cobie Smulders’ Allison makes you want to hug and shake her. Now, Adam is not the “easiest” human being, but Long gives him this loneliness and sincere desire to be better… to be with Allison. You cannot help but hope that Allison changes her mind….. (Spoiler: She Does NOT!). A plethora of eccentric characters cross Adam’s path like bursts of reviving energy and laughs. From John Cho as charming “slackery” Mark, Kristen Schaal as scene-stealing Talula, to Luis Guzman’s Federico serving odd wisdom, Adam is consistently confronted with people that push him to confront himself, including Ryan Hansen’s Aaron.

For however much you want to HATE Aaron, Hansen assures you still have a little room for the guy in your heart. After all, it is clear Adam and Allison are NOT getting back together, and its not his fault. Thanks to stellar writing, acting, and a few flashbacks, the film show the highs and lows of this relationship, and leave you wondering what could have been. Did they try hard enough to salvage it? Or were they always just a chapter in each other’s lives rather than a happy ending? Written, Edited and Directed Ryan Eggold (Blacklist), Literally Right Before Aaron is not just humorous, but honest about how difficult it is to see someone you love move on from you. Call it ego! Yet, it still is painful, especially when you do not have the opportunity to move on yourself or have reached a full acceptance that it is over. Adam is all of us post- breakup of a serious relationship, and Literally Right Before Aaron thrives because it shows this. Literally Right Before Aaron Comes Out In Theatres And On Demand September 29.