Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
Director: Justin Baldoni, Roadshow Entertainment.
Cast: Haley Lu Richardson, Col Sprouse, Claire Forlani, Parminder Nagra.
One of the simple everyday functions of our body – the ability to breathe – is something we all take for granted. A highlight of this romantic drama is that it makes us sit up and take notice that not all of us are that lucky.
This film is inspired by the true story of Dalton and Kate Prager, who both suffered from cystic fibrosis.
Cystic Fibrosis is a life-limiting genetic disorder. It’s a condition affecting one baby born every four days. CF primarily affects the lungs and digestive system because of a malfunction in the exocrine system that’s responsible for producing saliva, sweat, tears and mucus. There is currently no cure.
The life expectancy for those born with CF is higher now than it was just a few decades ago, when it was 10. So it is only recently that people like the teenagers with CF in Five Feet Apart lived long enough to truly understand their disease and their constraints.
Playing the one of the teenage patients is a glowing Stella Grant (Richardson, Columbus, Support the Girls), every bit a 17-year-old, who spends much of her time living in a hospital. Her life is full of self-denial, regimes and dividing lines.
When she meets a fellow patient Will Newman (Sprouse, Riverdale) an instant attraction develops and her regulations are tested.
Despite always being forced to stay a certain distance away from each other, their relationship intensifies. Their vulnerability to infection is acute.This leads to a temptation to throw the rules out the window and embrace that attraction.
Complicating the situation, however, is Will’s potentially dangerous rebellion against his ongoing medical treatment.
Stella gradually inspires Will to live life to the fullest. Being able to save the person you love when even a single touch is off limits is intimidating.
