Clouds
Ratings: 3.5/5
Director: Justin Baldoni
Producers: Justin Baldoni, Andrew Lazar, Casey La Scala
Screenplay: Kara Holden
Story: Patrick Kopka, Casey La Scala, Kara Holden
Release Date: October 16, 2020
Star Cast: Fin Argus, Sabrina Carpenter, Madison Iseman, Lil Rel Howery, Tom Everett Scott, Neve Campbell
Distributor: Disney+
Plot: The blood in the veins of a teenager is warmer and runs faster because of the dreamful life that lies ahead. All the firsts are around the corner, the first date, first love, deciding on the field of your career, embarrassing the life changing decision to move away from family for college and a lot more. All this consumes a teen which makes one self -involved rarely getting a time to concentrate on others. But that was not the case with Zach Sobiech. A teenager living in Minnesto, who had entered the senior year of his high school, Zach is special, in a way that he is amongst the chosen ones who, unlike others, knew when the end was approaching. He is just 17 and has been diagnosed with a terminal form of osteosarcoma that has left him with just a few months to live.
When Lil Rel Howrey, Zach's teacher, advises the class on writing their college application essays, he quotes Mary Oliver. A line from the late American poet’s “The Summer Day” - “Tell me, what is it you plan to do/with your one wild and precious life?” For most of the students, the answer was pre-scripted but not for Zach. That moment provoked Zach to do everything possible in the little time that he was blessed with.
One relation that out shines in Zach’s life and that he is grateful for is the platonic friendship with Sammy. A friendship which is, not to deny, a bit complicated with unspoken feelings and fears, is more authentic and affecting. They are friends since they were toddlers. They jam over music. Music was that cord that kept their bond tight. When Sammy finds out that Zach was terminal, she decides to take their music to the world and find a way for Zach to live forever. They record their first song, which she uploads on YouTube. The song takes off and within days the teen friends are set to earn unfathomable fame and glory. What follows is more writing of songs, recording contracts, becoming a YouTube sensation, the concert and composing Zach’s peppy signature hit “Clouds”.
“Clouds” hit No. 1 on the iTunes singles charts in about no time.
Through all this there is one person holding his hand and walking along, the love of his life Amy. Zach is overwhelmed by Amy’s presence in his life. At one sit down he tells his father that “He (Zach) doesn’t know how to breathe without her (Amy)”. This was no fairy tale and Zach has a lump in his throat - whenever he releases that he found her only to know that he will not able to make it to the altar. Amy takes charge of their relationship and stands rock solid for him through his thick and thin. She even says a “Yes”.
And then comes a day when Zach leaves a “Z” on the “Clouds” to mark his presence.
Review: Clouds is based on the true-life story of Zach Sobiech, a 17-year-old teen from Minnesota and a musician who died in 2013 of a rare bone cancer just weeks before his senior prom. The movie has all that it takes to make a profound and powerful heart-tugger. It is a culmination of a story that has his last months, his best friend, his first love, his hit song and the impact of his music and his diagnosis on those around him.
Justin Baldoni expresses his meeting with Zach, and says that “I fell in love with Zach’s infectious joy and spirit seven years ago when I made a short documentary about his life. Just before he passed, I made a promise to him that I would do whatever I could to make sure the world heard his music.” Zach’s songwriting and Justin Baldoni’s storytelling are well-matched in their smiling-through-the-tears gentleness and emotional simplicity.
The film is lifted by its solid supporting cast and realistic dialogues. "Teens think they are invincible," says Zach (Fin Argus). Fin Argus has done an excellent job playing the teen grappling with his own mortality at the same time as he is living entirely new and electrifying experiences, like first love or fame as a budding musician. Sabrina Carpenter as BFF and Madison Iseman as the girlfriend, did their best to make their presence felt in the desired manner.
The role of parents played by Neve Campbell and Tom Everett Scott also gave the perfect emotional touch. A huge shout out to Lil Rel Howery as Mr. Weaver, who despite having minimal scenes did not fail to deliver a promising act.
Amongst many heart touching moments these two particularly stands out as memorable: a snippet of bagpipe music indicating Zach's passing, an elegant substitute to a drawn-out funeral scene and a pilgrimage to the healing baths of Lourdes, filmed reverently inside the caves and beneath the water.
The movie is not for a weak hearted because it is based on a real-life struggle of a teenager who saw and felt a lot more than many of us put together. You will most certainly end up breaking down multiple times during the movie as this isn’t a fairytale or a fiction. It is what a person has lived and it is worth hearing.
Your heart will go for Zach’s loved ones who are left behind to live on after they lost their star who lived high on the ‘Clouds’.
