“Regretting You” is part “All My Children” and “Beverly Hill 90210,” offering the worst aspects of each. It’s sudsier than even the most dramatic prime time or daytime soap opera, suffering serious flaws that shows in that genre never suffered from – nearly unilateral predictability and being boring.
Based on the novel from Colleen Hoover and adapted for the screen by Susan McMartin, this drama directed by Josh Boone (“The Fault of Our Stars”) blending teen and adult angst is more emotional slog than emotional revelation, which proves entirely disappointing given Boone’s prior work on “Stars.”
In this story of betrayal and regret he never finds the emotional center and relies on cliché in an attempt to get any type of reaction.
The Grants – Morgan (Allison Williams), Chris (Scott Eastwood), daughter Clara (Mckenna Grace) – and their extended family – Chris’ best friend Jonah (Dave Franco), Morgan’s sister and Jonah’s girlfriend Jenny (Willa Fitzgerald) – would seem to be the perfect familial unit. Most families are until tragedy strikes and cracks form in the façade.
Mason Thames as Miller and McKenna Grace as Clara in “Regretting You” from Paramount Pictures.
The cracks prove earthshattering here as Chris and Jenny die in a car accident and their longtime affair is revealed, leaving Morgan to pick up the remnants of her life and Jonah with his and Jenny’s son (or is he?). As for Clara, her Aunt Jenny was her best friend and learning of the affair would be too much for her to handle emotionally given recent events, so, of course, it’s hidden from her.
She’s having to contend with too much as it is, including a budding romance with Miller Adams (Mason Thames).
The affair proves to be the only twist in “Regretting You,” as it becomes increasingly predictable with each and every dramatic moment that’s telegraphed from miles away, thus, in turn, making the film a long trip.
From the moment of the accident on, watching Morgan and Jonah interact proves to be tedious. From the movie’s beginning it’s not difficult to tell which road the duo will travel together, but their journey lacks the emotional appeal to hold anyone’s attention.
The romance between Clara and Miller is at least somewhat more compelling, but at times suffers from direction where Boone is looking for that one romantic moment that will find its place in the lexicon of teen romances. Think John Cusack with a boombox in “Say Anything.” The effort feels forced and ultimately falls flat.
What does work with “Regretting You?” Franco makes his character compelling enough to engender empathy, but Thames (“How to Train Your Dragon”), with his Andrew Garfield-like energy and mannerisms, provides some compelling moments. He possesses the charm and requisite skills to have a long career.
Ultimately, “Regretting You” commits the sin of being mostly predictable leading it be more boring than interesting.
George M. Thomas covers a myriad of things including sports and pop culture, but mostly sports, he thinks, for the Beacon Journal.
Review
Movie: “Regretting You”
Cast: Allison Williams, Dave Franco, Scott Eastwood, Mckenna Grace, Miller Adams
Directed by: Josh Booney
Running time: 1 hour 57 minutes
Rated: PG-13 for sexual content, teen drug and alcohol use, and brief strong language
Grade: C-
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: ‘Regretting You’ proves to be slog through predictability and cliches
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