Here, cry with me.
IF I STAY – OFFICIAL TRAILER Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and New Line Cinema
Ok, so maybe I have words. Like a lot of them. Most of them revolve around that trailer’s PERFECTION and will be expressed with ClaireDanesCryFace™ gifs.
Not Another Teen Movie
If it weren’t for the ubiquitous high school hallway/locker shots you would have no idea that this is a teen movie based on a young adult book. Adam and Mia could be just as easily 27 as they are 17, both in their circumstances and in their performances. They are poised, mature and in love. Their conflict is real, externally wrought but internally fought. (OMG did I just say that? I MEAN IT.) But look here, if Julliard and cellos and healthy relationships make you think teen movie, then you can see yourself out.
All the tape on the ceiling makes me want to kiss each and every one of Adam’s papercuts.
Jamie Blackley Has All the Chops
Did this kid come out of nowhere or what? I’m not even going to say what we are all thinking (you are thinking about that guitar arm; I KNOW YOU ARE) because it’s too obvious. Even those slutty cheerleaders in the hall are about to shrivel up from dehydration; they are so clearly thirsty for some Adam.
^^^ Slut #1 and #2 in the credits
But, of course, Adam only has eyes for Mia and says all the most perfect things I have ever heard. Like “You can’t hide in that rehearsal room forever. It’s too late. I see you.” aaaaaaaannnnd “I’m still here, and I’m crazy in love with you. Please stay.” The best part of all: the same boy that says that does … this.
AHEM
The Music
So so much of the wonder of this book is the music. Mia’s love for it. Adam’s proficiency, and how they fall in love over it. And the trailer starts with this kinetic, driving cello music. It’s beautiful and fast and played by someone who LOVES their instrument. But then. Say Something. That first note starts pinging and SO DO MY TEARS. It halts the narrative completely and changes it. What a perfect song for this story.
Wanting to Be Mia
Chloe Moretz was not an obvious choice for Mia, but her face is so sincere and expressive. She reminded me immediately of all the reasons I wanted to BE Mia when I read the book for the first time (the reasons that weren’t Adam-specific): like her tenacity, her determination, her ambition, her love for her family. You can see Chloe giving us all of that in just a few short seconds.
Plus she gets to wear this amazing wig, and apparently that leopard print shirt REALLY worked out for her (*cough*THEY MAKE OUT LATER AND SHE’S WEARING IT. DID YOU SEE THAT? I DID*cough*).
GOD I CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS SCENE
The Little Glimpses
… of the characters and the moments that you know are gonna hit you right in the grief bone. Nurse Ramirez. Baby Mia. KIM AND GRANDPA at her bedside. Flashbacks to Mia’s Parents. OMG Teddy. Like Jamie told me today: “Knowing that I had to take breaks while reading to compose myself, contemplate life, friends and family, I do not know how I will make it through the entire movie.” Sob Breaks. Composure Time-Outs. Because this:
and
Mia’s parents are the coolest
and
NOT COOL, trailer guy
and
That was way harsh, Tai.
But at least there’s kissing.
Gayle knows how I feel about the kissing.
It’s gonna hurt, you guys. But it’s gonna be SO GOOD. And just think: if we go see it enough times, we will not only lose water weight by way of incessant tears, but we will get Where She Went in theaters too!!!!! So, in the meantime between now and August 22, tell your friends, share the trailer, and use #IfIStay on twitter. If you can do all that through the rivulets of tears.
