Movie Review: Chemical Hearts Treats Teen Love Seriously
Usually, when I watch a romantic drama there is a core ingredient that never fails: the young woman “saves” the young guy. She is charming, smart, adventurous, and somehow attracted to a guy who is either not or, at least, too nerdy/crabby to realize it. This young lady even has cinema trope dedicated to her: “manic pixie girl.” Yet, Chemical Hearts, an Amazon Original, rises amongst the ranks of teen dramas for two reasons: it is raw and intelligent towards its teen audience and, this time, it is the guy trying to re-enliven the woman.
No one can “save” anyone, but, when it comes to young love, we certainly try and Chemical Hearts gets emotionally dark by capturing these efforts. Lili Reinhart serves a PERFORMANCE as Grace; a young woman with a traumatic past that has left her permanently handicap, having a relationship with her mom that is filled with issues, and feeling “too old” to be so young. Even her vernacular and visions of the world feel way beyond her years, which attracts Henry (Austin Abrams), her fellow writer at the high-school newspaper. Abrams makes Henry a teen girl’s dream of what a kind, cute guy would be like, especially in how loving and loyal he is to Grace. He is a smart kid whom is tapped into his feelings and unafraid to feel them even more. (TEEN HEARTS ARE COMBUSTING!) Yet, it is his adultness that allows him to tear through Grace’s rightful walls, but also solidifies that this film is about a young couple dealing and acting like they are two adults trying to save a marriage.
Chemical Hearts – Official Trailer | Prime Video
Grace comes with her issues and could certainly push and pull the strongest partner away, which is the point of the film: young, first loves can be as heavy and marking as adult ones. The film thrusts Grace and Adam into a very heavy relationship filled with deep philosophies, melodrama, and music soundtracks that include ambient artists like, Beach House. They are two bleeding hearts whose separate bouts with depression and existentialism fuel their rollercoaster love and makes them seem, again, older. Most teen romances, even Words On Bathroom Walls, have a certain level of joy or lightness, but Chemical Hearts adds a seriousness and weightiness to young love that will attract viewers.
Chemical Hearts – Magical Enchanted Forest Clip
While we all love our To All The Boys, Chemical Hearts combines the darkness and wit that teens enjoy, as well. Like most adults/ human beings, every teen thinks they are the smartest and most misunderstood person; the most broken, pieced together heart seeking someone to love him or her. Yet, we don’t often see or display that side of teenhood without making fun of or lessening it. Directed and written by Richard Tanne, as an adaptation of Krystal Sutherland’s novel, he sees that universal sentiment and churns a love story that is memorable, impactful, and one for teens who love and embrace their sensitive hearts, even if they break more. In the end, Chemical Hearts, out August 21 on Amazon Prime, charms its young viewers by treating their love journeys and feelings as equal to adult ones.
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