The film follows the story of a boy who falls in love with a girl who is stuck in the memory of her dead ex-boyfriend. Initially, it seems to be a familiar teen love story that is trying to have a deeper meaning than it actually does. There’s some awkward dialogue and it takes a little while to get the story really moving, but the acting is fairly solid from Lili Reinhart (Riverdale, Hustlers) and Austin Abrams (Euphoria, This Is Us) and it deals with some interesting aspects of the teenage experience.
The fact that it is based on a novel is clear because the subtlety of the message of the film is lost in the practicalities of fitting the story into ninety minutes. However, the visuals are solid, with a good use of inserts and symbolism which really tie the story together well.
The pacing of the revelation of information keeps it compelling and there is some good diversity in the secondary plotlines. It is more original than it seems at first glance, with an existential look at adolescence and there isn’t a predictable ending. There is a great comparison between the metaphysical (poetry) and biological (chemical) approach to love which is more refreshing than the usual Nicholas Sparks romance fest.
‘Chemical Hearts’ is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
Pep Reviews 