Review: 'If I Stay' Stays Original Despite Genre

Adam Reynoso ’15 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer

When it comes to teen love stories, it’s hard to avoid clichés and retreading the same territory many movies have already explored. But that’s exactly what If I Stay manages to do. Instead of going down the same road, the film decides to let the lead, Mia (Chloë Grace Moretz), fall in love with a boy, Adam (Jamie Buckley), but also fall in love with music. At the same time, she also shares a close connection with her family, played by Mireille Enos and Joshua Leonard.
The story starts off with a snow day, and the beginning has a dreamy feel to it. There’s kind of a glow about the scenes that make them stand out from the flashbacks that are taking place as well. On their way to their grandparents, Mia’s family gets into a car accident where Mia watches on, having an out-of-body experience while unable to do anything.
From there, the film flashes back to her as a child, playing the cello late into the night, to Mia catching the attention of older boy Adam in school. The flashbacks are done well and are inserted at the right moments. As she’s dealing with the accident and having to decide whether she should fight for her life or move on, Mia is also remembering everything that has led her there.

The movie does a great job of exploring this decision between life and death, especially through the eyes of a teen. It isn’t as simple as yes or no, as Mia really has to contemplate the issue from all angles. There are also things occurring in the present that seem to make her decision even more difficult. However, despite what she ultimately chooses, nothing is going to be the same. One of the respectable points that this film makes is that Mia’s decision does not solely revolve around her love for Adam. That’s certainly a part of it, but she also has to think of her future. At the time of the accident, she was eagerly awaiting a decision letter addressing her potential admittance to Juilliard.
As for the romance itself, it’s very sweet. Mia and Adam are from very different backgrounds, but they can understand each other through music. Two scenes stand out that really highlight their relationship. One centers around Halloween where Adam’s band is getting ready to perform. He decides to dress in a more classical look, while Mia dresses as a punk rock girl. What’s great about this scene is that at the show, Mia is really throwing herself into his world. She’s going to the front of the crowd and getting into the show. But when it’s over, she asks him if he likes her better this way. And of course he tells her that he likes her for her. The only thing he liked tonight was how into the music. (these few sentences need some work) The next scene is when they decide to take their relationship to the next level. It’s a sweet, innocent moment for Mia and very romantic. What makes the scene is that she relates sex to music notes, going through how they are similar to playing an instrument. It was a way to continue to bond through their appreciation of music.

The way Mia’s love for music is explored is also refreshing. The film spends as much time on her passion for music as it does on her romance. The way she plays the cello demonstrates how passionate she is about cultivating her skills further. And despite not following in her parents’ more rock/alternative footsteps, they still support her. They appreciate that they were able to raise her to be musically talented. It’s constantly reinforced how much her family is there for Mia, and how much they approve of her boyfriend- maybe liking him even more than she does.
If I Stay is an enjoyable teen romance that expands beyond the confines of its genre. While exploring the topics of life and death, the film also shows that sometimes it’s necessary to travel in the different direction of the ones you love. It also highlights the strength of music being able to bring people together. The ending is a bit abrupt, but other than that, the film has a strong story and a great performance from Chloe Moretz.
Overall Grade: B+

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