Rating of
2.5/4
Love Will Help You Survive
Chris Kavan - wrote on 01/31/14
Having seen The Host earlier this year, I was fully expecting How I Live Now to be another kind of lame teen romance with an apocalyptic angle. Surprisingly, however, the romance is kept to a minimum and when it comes up, it actually strengthens the impact of the film rather than drowning it in sappiness.
Elizabet, but she prefers to be called Daisy (Ronan), is visiting relatives in the English countryside. From the beginning, we get a sense of what she is going through as the voices in her head constantly bicker, scream and generally make her life a bit of a living hell. She tries to drown it out with good old heavy metal - but it's obvious she is not a happy person. Her attitude is certainly that of the world's most angst-filled teen (sometimes played a bit heavy-handed). She is also has a bit of OCD, as she constantly needs to keep her hands clean - and although she gets off to a rough patch, slowly but surely she comes out of her shell - thanks in part to the connection she feels to her oldest cousin, Isaac (Tom Holland). Also on hand is the inquisitive Piper (her youngest cousin - played by Harley Bird) and Eddie (George MacKay), who is a somewhat military nerd.
We are given glimpses of the troubles this "near-future" world is facing - the airport security is ramped up (even moreso than it is already) and Paris has been the subject of a recent bombing. Her mostly-missing Aunt is also involved in a political movement (and is rarely around). Soon enough, trouble comes calling as a nuclear attack hits London. And for awhile, the children survive in a Lord of the Flies way - cooking fire, living off the land (and river) - staying in the barn. The romance comes out at this point as Isaac and Daisy share a kiss - which she breaks off even as she can't deny the connection. But the ever-present threat of war, and possibly death, lead to another level of the relationship - and they cannot deny their love. But just as soon as the relationship begins - it is torn apart. Soldiers arrive and take the girls to a "safe" work camp while the boys are spirited away to a military base. But Isaac leaves Daisy with one message - get away and make their way back to the farmhouse - he will be there.
The second half of the movie takes on a much more serious and quite dour tone. We learn the water has been poisoned - the work camp is an endless drudgery of gathering vegetables, using water tablets to wash and drink and planning - Daisy is always planning their escape. Soon enough the "safe" work camp is hit by and attack and Daisy takes this opportunity to grab Piper and begin the long trek back to the farmhouse. The road trip is filled with danger - forgetting one crucial supply (water tablets) puts them in peril - and dehydration and starvation are very real threats. But nothing will prepare Daisy for what she finds when they reach the base where Isaac and Eddie were taken. Let's just say it leads to one of the most powerful moments in the film - and for a movie where adults are mostly absent - it hits hard.
This is one of those films you don't know how it will end - up or down - to say the movie has a "happy" ending may be a stretch - how about a "hopeful" ending - that's a better description. Some may find it a bit too convenient and contrived at the end, but I think it ended just the way it should have. The film does an excellent job of fleshing out Daisy, even if some of the other children could have been more well-rounded. The cinematography is excellent - especially when Daily and Piper are on their cross-country trip. From an impromptu plane crash to fields and marshy areas - the locations were all well done. The film can get heavy at times - but it's worth the effort. As I said in the beginning - I was worried about this, but Ronan once again impressed me and my faith in the actress has been restored.
