March 8, 2017 The Skanner Page 7
Film Review: ‘Before I Fall’ a
Bittersweet Tale of Redemption
Arts & Entertainment
Ice Cube: The “Fist Fight” Interview
By Kam Williams
For The Skanner
News
I
“Kudos aplenty are in order for Zoey Deutch, who’s incredibly convincing as Sam in a demanding role”
in ‘Before I Fall’
By Kam Williams
For The Skanner News
S
amantha “Sam” Kingston (Zoey
Deutch) was a spoiled-rotten brat
the night she perished in a tragic
car crash. First of all, she and her
little sister Izzy (Erica Tremblay) were
lucky enough to be raised in the lap of
luxury by a couple of loving parents
(Jennifer Beals and Nicholas Lea).
Secondly, the recently-deceased 17
year-old was not only leaving behind
a handsome boyfriend in Rob (Kian
Lawley), but an ardent admirer in
Kent (Logan Miller), a platonic friend
she’d taken for granted since grade
school. Sam was also pretty popular
at Ridgview High School where she
was a member of an exclusive clique
along with her three BFFs, Liz (Halston
Sage), Elody (Medalion Rahimi) and
Ally (Cynthy Wu).
The snobby quartet took delight in
teasing classmates like lesbian Anna
(Liv Hewson) and reclusive outcast Ju-
liet (Elena Kampouri). So Sam would
think nothing of participating in such
mean-girl rituals as dumping drinks
on Juliet while calling her a “psycho
bitch.”
However, after the accident, she was
afforded an unusual opportunity to
reconsider her cruel behavior when,
instead of proceeding to the hereaf-
ter, her spirit miraculously reentered
her body. Upon opening her eyes, she
realized that it was again dawn on Feb.
12, and that she was about to relive the
same day again.
SHOWTIMES
In fact, Sam’s about to experience
Feb. 12 over and over, while learning
valuable lessons in tolerance each go-
round. Thus unfolds “Before I Fall,” a
bittersweet tale of redemption based
on Lauren Oliver’s young adult novel
of the same name.
At first blush, the picture’s prem-
ise reads rather reminiscent of the
Bill Murray classic “Groundhog Day”
(1993), although this is a drama as op-
posed to a comedy, and it’s set on Feb.
12 instead of Feb. 2. The movie was
directed by Ry Russo-Young (“Nobody
Walks”), who puts a fresh enough spin
on the familiar theme to make you for-
get “Groundhog Day” after 15 minutes.
Kudos aplenty are in order for Zoey
Deutch, who’s incredibly convincing
as Sam in a demanding role which calls
for the exhibition of a considerable
acting range over the course of the sto-
ry. Her supporting cast delivers stellar
work selling an escapist fantasy which
might otherwise fall apart oh so easily.
A deja vu-driven, surrealistic moral-
ity play designed to leave you deep in
reflection and weeping as you walk up
the aisle.
Excellent HHHH
Rated PG-13 for mature themes, bully-
ing, sexuality, violent images, profani-
ty and underage drinking
Running time: 99 minutes
Distributor: Open Road Films
To see a trailer for Before I Fall, go to
TheSkanner.com.
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ce Cube in a
Mellow Mood!
Born O’Shea
Jackson
in
Compton, Cali-
fornia on June
15, 1969, Renais-
sance man Ice
Cube is an actor,
writer, produc-
er, director, rap-
per, philanthro- “Kudos aplenty are in order for Zoey Deutch, who’s incredibly convincing as
pist and father. Sam in a demanding role” in ‘Before I Fall’
N.W.A., the rap
you, Kam?
group he co-founded with Dr. Dre, Ea-
zy-E, MC Ren and DJ Yella, was induct-
KW: Great, thanks. What interested
ed into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in you in “Fist Fight”?
2016.
IC: I thought it was a great concept
Cube made his feature film debut in based on a funny premise. And when
1991 in “Boyz n the Hood,” and proceed- they started filling in the pieces with
ed to parlay his critically-acclaimed Charlie Day and Tracy Morgan, I just
performance into an enviable career. knew we were going to have a great
He has become one of the most bank- time and hopefully shoot a funny mov-
able names in Hollywood as a writer, ie.
star and producer.
His production company, Cube Vi-
KW: In this film you play a teacher
sion, has been making memorable who is sort of like a bully. Did you ever
films for over two decades. And his have a teacher like your character, Mr.
movies have cumulatively grossed Strickland? And were you either bul-
over a billion dollars at the box office. lied or a bully when you were a kid?
Here, he talks about his latest outing
IC: In my neighborhood, you were
in “Fist Fight,” a comedy co-starring either one or the other. Going back to
Charlie Day.
my memory bank, there were teachers
Kam Williams: Hey Cube. How you
been, brother?
Ice Cube: I’m good, good. How about
who were no-nonsense and intimidat-
ing. Most of them were coaches or gym
See CUBE on page 11