All Together Now, the Netflix movie inspired by Sorta Like a Rockstar by Matthew Quick, is a story about love, friendship, and letting others in when you need them the most. And honestly, I loved it to the moon and back.
In fact, it didn’t need to tote the “from the Producers of Love, Simon and The Fault in Our Stars.” It carried its own weight and somehow managed to be one of my favorite movies of 2020.
That’s not to say the movie is easy. Oh dear Lord, did this movie test me and my feels. Over and over and over again. But I stuck with it, seeing the brilliance that was the director Brett Haley and Auli’i Cravalho in her first feature film ever. (What about Moana, you say? Well this is the first time we get to see Auli’i challenge herself in a film where you can actually see her and you’re not just listening to her voice.)
This movie made me reflect on the life that I’ve led and the people that have helped me along the way. It gave me the kind of perspective that stayed with me long after the screen went black. I even found myself getting cheesy and texting everyone that I love to just tell them, “Hey, I love you and I’m so glad to have you in my life.” Because All Together Now made me feel like I should reach out, appreciate, and honor the people around me and the journey I’m on.
And if that isn’t a sign of a good movie, then I don’t know what is.
Then there’s Auli’i’s performance as Amber Appleton. She knocked it out of the park at every turn, in every scene, and with every actor that she worked with. Amber made me laugh, made me cry, and made me cheer for her success and just general wellbeing.
She also made me see how strong people can be, how much hardships they may face, and that they can still stand tall, proud, and resilient in the face of adversity.
Amber also made me see and gave me the kind of clarity to understand that it’s ok to ask for help. Too often we think we have to take on this world all on our own. We’re taught to not take handouts, to figure things out ourselves, and never let anyone see you falter. Not everyone or every family is like that but it sure as hell is a reality in traditional Latinx homes, which Amber comes from in All Together Now.
But it’s ok to ask for help. It’s ok to lean on others and it doesn’t make you weak if you need your family, your friends, or your coworkers. If anything, it makes you stronger. Because that’s what community is and how friendships work. You don’t even have to have everything figured out to get help or ask for it. You just need to take it a step at a time and know that you are not alone in this big and scary world.
Even you, dear reader. You’re not alone in this. You’re here with me. And I’ve got you. We all do. So, take a moment for yourself, watch All Together Now, and message those in your life who make your day shine or who you couldn’t live without but haven’t told them in a while how much you care. They’ll love it and it’ll act as a reminder to you that you’re alone in this. None of us are.
