Bilgi :Aquamarine
Author Alice Hoffman has said this about her
popular pre-teen novel, Aquamarine: "If I'm asked if
Aquamarine is only for children, I would have to say
no. This is a book I wrote … to remind myself that no matter
how difficult it is to say goodbye, it is still possible for
the power of friendship to triumph and for love to be the
final victory."
True to her vision, the movie adaptation of
Aquamarine is a sweet and relatable story about
friendship, sacrifice and love. And while it's definitely made
for girls between 10 and 14 (complete with cartoon bubbles,
fast-forward filming, and a Radio Disney soundtrack), its
message and charm won't be lost on many viewers. Neither will
its humor—there are many authentically laugh-out-loud scenes.
Older teens may say they'd rather be caught dead than seen at
this film, but most will walk away pleased and with much to
relate to (even if they won't admit it).
Best friends Hailey (Joanna
`JoJo' Levesque) and Claire (Emma Roberts) share a
secret
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The movie begins with soon-to-be 8th graders
Hailey (Joanna Levesque) and Claire (Emma Roberts) trying to
make the very most of their summer—and their last few weeks
together. In just days, Hailey is moving to Australia. Crushed
that they will soon be separated, the best friends spend
almost every waking hour together—either ogling the hunky high
school lifeguard Raymond (Jake McDorman) or dreading the big
move that'll leave them both alone. They wish for a way to
stay together.
Their prayers seem answered when a hurricane
washes ashore Aquamarine (Sara Paxton), a mermaid who needs
their help. Arranged to marry a merman she doesn't love,
Aquamarine has struck a deal with her father: If she can
prove—in three days—that the fabled notion of love does
exist, he will let her out of the betrothal. When she sets her
eyes on Raymond, Hailey and Claire strike a deal of their own:
If they get Raymond to pledge his love to Aquamarine in three
days, Aquamarine will make their biggest wish come true—Hailey
won't move.
Claire and Hailey are startled to
find a mermaid (Sara Paxton) in the pool
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The film's greatest treasure is the sweet and
real relationship between Claire and Hailey. It's so easy to
believe these two girls have a supportive, fun and comfortable
friendship that started long before the opening credits. But
the main reason this relationship feels authentic is that each
of them is a very real and relatable pre-teen character. They
are normal, un-Hollywood girls with fears, dreams,
insecurities, emotional scars, and lots of laughter. They are
extremely relatable. Everyone has felt like these girls—a
bundle of mixed emotions from excitement and joy in life
itself to insecurity and fear about the future. And everyone
has wanted a best friend like they have. Everyone has also
wanted a friend like Aquamarine—not with a tail fin, but one
who is confident, self-assured, challenging and affirming.
Together, the three of them learn and grow. Claire discovers
that life is not something to fear, but to be friends with.
Hailey learns to put aside her anger and selfishness to see a
bigger world. And Aquamarine finds that love does exist.
What is unexpected and refreshing about
Aquamarine is that it doesn't follow typical teen movie
conventions in its search for love. Just when you think the
movie is about to preach the flawed gospel of instant and
magical Hollywood love (the kind that occurs in just three
days and is pledged with a kiss under fireworks), the film
ends with a strong statement about undying friendship,
sacrifice, and the beauty of unanswered prayers. Instead of
praising romantic love as the end-all-be-all, the movie lifts
up the unconditional love shared between families and friends.
In fact, the love that defines Aquamarine is straight
out of 1 Corinthians 13: It cares more for others than self,
loves at all times, puts up with anything, isn't always "me
first," and never dies.
Aquamarine joins Claire and
Hailey for a night on the town—after shopping, of
course
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The movie isn't flawless. It loses steam for
a while around the three-quarters mark. There's a spiritual
problem with Hailey jokingly praying to the "gods of love" and
the "gods of hurricanes"—and an implication these prayers may
actually bring help. There are some typical pre-teen movie
goofy performances as well. While Levesque, Roberts and Paxton
carry the movie with endearing and only rarely uneven moments,
the acting of snooty villain Cecilia (Arielle Kebbel) and her
whole clan of cronies is way too over-the-top and clichéd. In
addition, by portraying the popular girls as beautiful,
stick-thin, and too revealing—even if poking fun at them—the
movie may unintentionally reinforce the cultural claim that
this is what makes one have worth.
At the same time, the movie scores a major
victory in reaching its audience with the all-too-important
message that they are fine just the way they are. Besides
showcasing two wonderfully normal girls who don't focus on
outside changes to grow as people, the movie ends with a
wonderful sequence in which Aquamarine gives her new friends
very special starfish earrings. Not only are these fetching
accessories very complementary to any outfit, they are also
very complimentary to the wearer. Hailey's talking earrings
whisper to her, "Hailey is beautiful inside and out." Claire's
rave as well: "Claire glows from the inside. She is so
courageous."
This self-esteem boost is what every pre-teen
needs. And the message that loving yourself and those around
you is more important than romance—even with hunky Raymond—is
indeed the film's final victory. Review by Todd Hertz |
