A film that makes light of itself. Not bad at all. We enjoyed this as much as you can enjoy an average film. Resilient film with very little over-acting. Most of it was believable.
55 Reviews
AVERAGE TO GOOD
benighted20052 September 2020
Sorta like hard to believe, but has a good message.
atlastu231 August 2020
In spite of the being very hard to believe, i mean a mother and her daughter live in a school bus, and the girl sleeping on a bench and refusing anyone to help her, and she remains strangely happy, but the final part of the film had a good message to tell, about letting the people who care about you, give you a hand when you need it the most. But it was a little hard identifying with the story with this strange events, usually people ask for help when they really need it, while the lead character Amber doesn't believe in that.
The fact that Amber only sang one song" Feels like home", while she could've at least sang another one at the talent show , makes no sense and is such a lost opportunity. She did such a great job in "Moana" and it was nice seeing her here in a live action film, but sadly the script wasn't that good. But the cast did a good job, and Carol Burnett was a special addition to the team.
Friends
ks-6050020 September 2020
The story message is quite clear. Friends is so important. A girl miserable life is only a physical factor but she's mentally rich and one of the luckiest. It's a drama I know but what the message is good person will be good luck. That's not what I agree though but it's what movie try to persuade us. Except for the unrealistic truth, this movie is good indeed.
A fine Netflix addition to teen coming of age films.
JohnDeSando28 August 2020
When I can be moved to tears in front of my cruel computer, you know All Together Now can be one of the best teen coming-of-age films on Netflix, a purveyor of that genre like no other service.
Having had five daughters, I am an expert about the challenges teen girls face in any world at any time. Most of those rough times are caused by us, adults, who need to see movies like this to understand the beautifully complex decisions and affections a teen is called on to endure. In fact, every pre-teen should see this melodrama as well to gain insight into the difficult world of their future.
Amber (Auli'I Cravalho) lives illicitly in a school bus with her driver, alcoholic mother until they can't. Amber is so charming during the day that no one would guess the difficulties she faces once away from school. Think of her working in a donut shop in Portland, producing fundraising shows for her school, and trying to figure out how she can get to Carnegie Mellon University Drama School, which has invited her to audition.
Then throw into the mix her mom's abusive boyfriend and a mini-pup with a cancerous mass that should be operated on, and you have probably too many bad things happening to her for one movie. Still, if you accept where filmmaker Brett Haley wants you to go, each is a barrier to happiness, and she is an inveterate optimist.
All Together Now gets right the motifs of hope and community caring seasoned with music because Amber needs to allow the community to give back to her after all she has given them, music not the least. The film signifies better than most that allowing others to give is a gift to them and a sure sign that something is right about you.
Life can be survived with happiness, only after one has earned it, is a powerful message in pandemic times when that tyrant seems to make us all helpless. But not youth with hope.
Having had five daughters, I am an expert about the challenges teen girls face in any world at any time. Most of those rough times are caused by us, adults, who need to see movies like this to understand the beautifully complex decisions and affections a teen is called on to endure. In fact, every pre-teen should see this melodrama as well to gain insight into the difficult world of their future.
Amber (Auli'I Cravalho) lives illicitly in a school bus with her driver, alcoholic mother until they can't. Amber is so charming during the day that no one would guess the difficulties she faces once away from school. Think of her working in a donut shop in Portland, producing fundraising shows for her school, and trying to figure out how she can get to Carnegie Mellon University Drama School, which has invited her to audition.
Then throw into the mix her mom's abusive boyfriend and a mini-pup with a cancerous mass that should be operated on, and you have probably too many bad things happening to her for one movie. Still, if you accept where filmmaker Brett Haley wants you to go, each is a barrier to happiness, and she is an inveterate optimist.
All Together Now gets right the motifs of hope and community caring seasoned with music because Amber needs to allow the community to give back to her after all she has given them, music not the least. The film signifies better than most that allowing others to give is a gift to them and a sure sign that something is right about you.
Life can be survived with happiness, only after one has earned it, is a powerful message in pandemic times when that tyrant seems to make us all helpless. But not youth with hope.
Not A Typical Teen Movie!
tstandish21014 August 2021
Not an average teen movie, this was a very moving and honest film about hope and learning to accept the help of others. Have tissues ready it is an emotional story, but it still ends up being feel good movie in the end.
Singing... Not so much.
holliesimpson-470962 September 2020
Here's the thing, this was not a bad movie. It had a lot of heart and emotion. The issue I have: this is a movie about an amazing singer played by a lead actress who is an amazing singer...so why the heck doesn't she SING MORE? She sings for a hot second in the beginning and then for a touching moment in the middle but that's all you get. If you are like me and have this expectation and anticipation of a big finale, you won't get that satisfaction. It's a heartfelt sweet film, but lacks the much needed singing to make this film great.
Feel good emotional story dragged by some performances and dull direction.
cruise018 September 2020
All Together Now (3 out of 5 stars).
All Together Now is a fair drama film about an optmistic cheery high school teen Amber (Auli'i Cravalho) which her and her alcoholic mother are homeless. Living in a school bus. Amber works in an assisted living. Always volunteering to help others in her school. She gets an invitation to audition out of state for drama club. When life takes a turn. She feels like she is losing control and trying to find a way back.
The story was emotional and has a feel good inspirational tone. Its relatable of hardship. Amber and her mother are homeless. Her mom is trying. But makes poor decisions. Her friends are supportive. The story was a bit sad. And it does turn in an emotional direction.
Auli'i Cravalho performance is great playing as Amber. And taking her character into emotional depth. Her friend Ty played by Rhenzy Feliz was a bit wooden with his acting. Kind of felt out of place with his performance when on screen with her.
The direction was also a bit dull. Which could have been so much to add to the emotional depth of the story and script.
All Together Now is a fair drama film about an optmistic cheery high school teen Amber (Auli'i Cravalho) which her and her alcoholic mother are homeless. Living in a school bus. Amber works in an assisted living. Always volunteering to help others in her school. She gets an invitation to audition out of state for drama club. When life takes a turn. She feels like she is losing control and trying to find a way back.
The story was emotional and has a feel good inspirational tone. Its relatable of hardship. Amber and her mother are homeless. Her mom is trying. But makes poor decisions. Her friends are supportive. The story was a bit sad. And it does turn in an emotional direction.
Auli'i Cravalho performance is great playing as Amber. And taking her character into emotional depth. Her friend Ty played by Rhenzy Feliz was a bit wooden with his acting. Kind of felt out of place with his performance when on screen with her.
The direction was also a bit dull. Which could have been so much to add to the emotional depth of the story and script.
Highly flawed, yet compelling
vincentlynch-moonoi29 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
There are some things to like about this movie, and some things to not like about it.
Let's start with what not to like about it. I suppose that you could take any one aspect of this girl's life (the main character) and say okay. But let's see -- she and her mother are homeless due to abuse, her mother is an alcoholic, her mother loses her job, her dog has a major tumor that may or may not be cancerous, and her mother gets killed in a car accident. Meanwhile, the girl is teaching an ESL class, volunteering in a nursing home, planning the school variety show, trying to get into Carnegie-Mellon...and works. It's like the old cliche of throwing in everything including the kitchen sink. Too much on the plate to make it seem remotely believable.
But if you can get past the excess, there is a good and ultimately uplifting story here. First, the girl's friends rallying around her. Second, an anonymous savior (in terms of finance...although rather unbelievable, too). And the inner strength some people have.
There's also some very good acting here. Aulii Cravalho plays Amber, the teen lead, and she is fantastic here. This young lady has a future! Rhenzy Feliz, who plays her best friend , shows promise. You'll remember Judy Reyes from "Scrubs". Justina Machado plays Amber's mother; I've seen her in a couple of things, and she is a good actress. It seemed like an odd choice of roles for Fred Armisen to take as a teacher here; he's okay. And the big surprise is Carol Burnett as the nursing home resident.
Let me put it this way. It firmly held my attention, despite its excesses.
Let's start with what not to like about it. I suppose that you could take any one aspect of this girl's life (the main character) and say okay. But let's see -- she and her mother are homeless due to abuse, her mother is an alcoholic, her mother loses her job, her dog has a major tumor that may or may not be cancerous, and her mother gets killed in a car accident. Meanwhile, the girl is teaching an ESL class, volunteering in a nursing home, planning the school variety show, trying to get into Carnegie-Mellon...and works. It's like the old cliche of throwing in everything including the kitchen sink. Too much on the plate to make it seem remotely believable.
But if you can get past the excess, there is a good and ultimately uplifting story here. First, the girl's friends rallying around her. Second, an anonymous savior (in terms of finance...although rather unbelievable, too). And the inner strength some people have.
There's also some very good acting here. Aulii Cravalho plays Amber, the teen lead, and she is fantastic here. This young lady has a future! Rhenzy Feliz, who plays her best friend , shows promise. You'll remember Judy Reyes from "Scrubs". Justina Machado plays Amber's mother; I've seen her in a couple of things, and she is a good actress. It seemed like an odd choice of roles for Fred Armisen to take as a teacher here; he's okay. And the big surprise is Carol Burnett as the nursing home resident.
Let me put it this way. It firmly held my attention, despite its excesses.
AMAZING FEEL GOOD MOVIE!
kaipopc28 August 2020
I'm just going to start off and say the acting in this movie is amazing! Auli'i knocks it out of the park in both acting and singing as well as the rest of the cast. I'm not going to sugarcoat this but I literally cried the whole movie, it teaches you to have hope in the hardest of times and just to never give up on your dreams because if you keep going you will get there as long as you want it enough. Now don't mind me just going to be listening to Feels Like Home 24/7. 10/10 Definitely Recommend!
The pieces of my heart need to come back all together NOW
ryancortero14 September 2020
Netflix's recent movie, All Together Now is a coming-of-age drama about a high school senior who is trying to make the best of her life given certain circumstances. I don't want to say too much.
The opening of the movie starts on a happy mood, so I was expecting that kind of energy but NOPE. Our main character, Amber, is played by Auli'i Cravalho (voice of Moana), and this role really proved she deserves to play more serious roles. The heart of the movie lies with the character of Amber. I just kept wanting the best for her, but the story was just not letting it happen. With each obstacle, you see Amber try to overcome it, but life keeps throwing curveballs and at one moment, I said out loud "whhhhy, she's been through enough!"
Justina Machado plays Amber's mom, Becky. I've only see this actress in Jane the Virgin, where she played a comedic yet serious role at times. And again, this movie lets the cast show off their range in acting. I feel the emotion between Becky and Amber's relationship, even if I can't relate to it.
Just a minor problem I have is that the movie feels a little short. It's based on a novel so I understand that things were probably cut out for the movie. There were just some plot points that I wish were expanded on more.
All in all, I really like this movie, as sad as it is. This is definitely something I will come back to when I'm feeling a certain way. Besides Auli'i and Justina, the cast is great and the emotions are definitely there. There is a song that Auli'i sings here (Feels Like Home) that's available on music streaming services, so I also recommend listening to that because it really captures the film
The opening of the movie starts on a happy mood, so I was expecting that kind of energy but NOPE. Our main character, Amber, is played by Auli'i Cravalho (voice of Moana), and this role really proved she deserves to play more serious roles. The heart of the movie lies with the character of Amber. I just kept wanting the best for her, but the story was just not letting it happen. With each obstacle, you see Amber try to overcome it, but life keeps throwing curveballs and at one moment, I said out loud "whhhhy, she's been through enough!"
Justina Machado plays Amber's mom, Becky. I've only see this actress in Jane the Virgin, where she played a comedic yet serious role at times. And again, this movie lets the cast show off their range in acting. I feel the emotion between Becky and Amber's relationship, even if I can't relate to it.
Just a minor problem I have is that the movie feels a little short. It's based on a novel so I understand that things were probably cut out for the movie. There were just some plot points that I wish were expanded on more.
All in all, I really like this movie, as sad as it is. This is definitely something I will come back to when I'm feeling a certain way. Besides Auli'i and Justina, the cast is great and the emotions are definitely there. There is a song that Auli'i sings here (Feels Like Home) that's available on music streaming services, so I also recommend listening to that because it really captures the film
Great message. Weak story.
layaleimdb14 September 2020
You can be really surprised of how much friends are willing to do for you.
This is the message behind it.
I really admired Amber's ambition also how she doesn't give up.
When you're aiming for messages like these, you need to put more details and power to the movie.. which I did not get in this one. The message was delivered to me, but I wanted to feel something more. I didn't.
I really admired Amber's ambition also how she doesn't give up.
When you're aiming for messages like these, you need to put more details and power to the movie.. which I did not get in this one. The message was delivered to me, but I wanted to feel something more. I didn't.
Heartbreaking and Beautiful
chezmain29 August 2020
A good heartwarming story.
FrogLord15 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I gotta be honest, i'm not a huge fan of these sorts of films, but this movie was really good. Some of the scenes are really powerful, and i will admit, this film made me cry a couple times. i really enjoyed most of the characters in this movie, and i thought the story was fine. the thing i most dislike about this movie is that stuff just comes out of nowhere. like, ok the dog got cancer the day before angies flight, right after her mom passed away? it just seems a bit off. the ending as well i thought was kind of weak. don't get me wrong it felt nice to see but it was just kind of weird and didn't really feel like it fit too well. overall, i would recommend this movie if you're looking for a good "break your heart build it back up again" kind of movie, cause it does it pretty well.
Horrible!!!
hope_8429 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Nothing like the book, no Xbox gaming in the marketing class, or standing up for her teacher via Donna, her mother's lawyer friend. In the novel, her mother was shot & killed, not in a car accident! The fundraiser was supposed to be for her sick dog! Where was the Vietnam guy she wrote to? This was so disappointing it makes me sick!!!
Fantastic movie teaches a life lesson
x-9446319 September 2020
I would say that this is a fantastic movie for preteens or teenagers or adults if you wanna feel like a kid again. Very heartfelt and teaches the good things about life it also teaches that you should be grateful for the things you have
Beautiful message
jordymadueno24 September 2020
The premise is to confront a life with a good attitude and despite reaching very dark places on an emotional level, the fruits of that attitude appear. What I loved the most was the charisma that Amber (Auli'i Cravalho) reflected.
A story of tenacity sprinkled with hope
dilippoddar-IN30 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
All Together now brings a spectacular perspective to look at life, relationships and sacrifice with a relaxed and grounded approach. It highlights, essentially, the detrimental effects of being in an abusive relationship and how they can turn someone's world upside down in a matter of seconds.
Perhaps another central theme of the movie is the value of sacrifice made by a person for the sake of others' wellbeing and the fact that sacrifices, when made selflessly, rarely go in vain. The transition in Amber Appleton's personality, as visible from the start till the end, has been presented flawlessly during her bittersweet journey of discovering a whole new meaning of friendship and everything that comes with it.
Perhaps another central theme of the movie is the value of sacrifice made by a person for the sake of others' wellbeing and the fact that sacrifices, when made selflessly, rarely go in vain. The transition in Amber Appleton's personality, as visible from the start till the end, has been presented flawlessly during her bittersweet journey of discovering a whole new meaning of friendship and everything that comes with it.
Too sweet. Honest!
sanwit29 August 2020
Do not watch this movie if you are diabetic. If you are not, this might make you one! Seriously, this movie is TOO sweet. And so unbecoming of 2020, right? This year being what it is...
Anyways, this made me cry...a lot! Don't watch this expecting anything. This movie just spins a simple tale, and doesn't try to do anything else. It doesn't try to spin half-complete storylines for a sequel.
Yes, all those people like me who I know will shed some tears watching this movie, this takes the pain away, ain't I right?!!
Give it a watch, will you? And keep the tissues close.
A fun feel-good emotional roller coaster teen drama
Top_Dawg_Critic29 August 2020
There have been many coming of age films, but this one was more emotionally expansive and well put together. I haven't read the novel, but may have to now if it's written as well as this screenplay. I'm not sure if my popcorn munching made me miss this, but what happened to her dad? If it was left out, it was a big error. Directing was great, and the cinematography and soundtrack were on point. The 92 min runtime was just right with the fair pacing. Casting was perfect, with Auli'i Cravalho nailing her role. It was a great fit to see the legendary Carol Burnett, and Fred Armisen. I certainly recommend this film, especially to all the teens out there who complain their life is hard - because they didn't get the newest iPhone first lol. It's a good reality check that is humbling with real world struggles. It's a well deserved 8/10 from me.
More Ugh!
ntolabing4 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Missing an important audition flight because of a dog? What kind of a story is that? Give the dog a tumor/cancer on flight day..great! I can't stand movies that are like that. I stopped the movie right after Amber rudely answered her friend' s mom who took her in.
A bittersweet tale of deserving satisfaction
awh-0430730 December 2021
Well this was quite a load of sweetness. The character of humble perfection is played by the all too undercasted voice of Moana, who has a really cute nature as she plays the main saint. And for the noble person she is, she sure goes through quite a lot, and I mean a lot. I mean without spoilers, there is tragedy after circumstance. I was originally watching this for Taylor Richardson, who is in the film for about 5-10 minutes; and there's another treat for Annie fans as Carol Burnett, the lady with a bitter exterior but a sensitive soul. Without much detail, there is also plenty of characters representing those on the autism spectrum, who are paralyzed, and even English language learners who have a surprising impact I connected with. There isn't much to laugh at but even though there is a lot to take in with this, you'll feel like it was all earned and did it's best with the content it handled.!it may be too much packed into a small runtime, but I still feel it's worth at least one watch with a group of really good people to relate to.
Gross Feeling!
nevynh30 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Amber Appleton is everything a poor person should be. She smiles, she's optimistic, she works several jobs while she's attending high school and is homeless. She's self sufficient.
This movie could have said something poignant about the value of a person. Instead Abby is held up as someone deserving, not because she's a person, but because she's the very model of what a poor person should be in the eyes of those with a lot more privilege. She's got the tenacity and hardly ever lets the smile slip. The fact that her choices are to live with the abusive alcoholic boyfriend of her mother or be homeless isn't presented as a societal issue.
Her dreams of going to a music school (they focus on making her audition rather than discussing the cost of doing so) feel vapid in the grand scheme of things. Her passion for music is never really at the forefront except perhaps in a single scene. Otherwise they make allusions to it with a small record collection left by her deceased dad.
When her mother and her mother's boyfriend die, all hope is lost and she needs a savior. The big emotional payoff is her receiving some cash from someone who thinks she's deserving of existing... This is what made it truly gross. That she's only saved because she's the very model of a virtuous poor person.
This isn't a story that could happen in other developed places in the world.
This movie could have said something poignant about the value of a person. Instead Abby is held up as someone deserving, not because she's a person, but because she's the very model of what a poor person should be in the eyes of those with a lot more privilege. She's got the tenacity and hardly ever lets the smile slip. The fact that her choices are to live with the abusive alcoholic boyfriend of her mother or be homeless isn't presented as a societal issue.
Her dreams of going to a music school (they focus on making her audition rather than discussing the cost of doing so) feel vapid in the grand scheme of things. Her passion for music is never really at the forefront except perhaps in a single scene. Otherwise they make allusions to it with a small record collection left by her deceased dad.
When her mother and her mother's boyfriend die, all hope is lost and she needs a savior. The big emotional payoff is her receiving some cash from someone who thinks she's deserving of existing... This is what made it truly gross. That she's only saved because she's the very model of a virtuous poor person.
This isn't a story that could happen in other developed places in the world.
Heartwarming story
jannahjoy29 August 2020
Lost the good parts
critterlc14 January 2021
I absolutely loved the book this is based on but the movie was pretty terrible. It removed the best parts of the book and changed the storyline for the worst. The best traits for all the characters were missing and overall boring.
Emotional and heartwarming at the end
kristyhorning30 August 2020
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