Along for the Ride

I definitely agree with the majority of reviewers who are giving this between a 6 and a 7. The storyline had the potential to be so much more but in general it, and the actors. Always fell a little flat to me. I gave it a 7 because I managed to get through it until the end, but I was never moved in the way I would like to be when watching a movie, and honestly, I could have just as easily given in a 6. So much could have been developed more - family dynamics, relationships, friendships. In short, watch this if you have nothing else to watch and you will probably feel a bit meh throughout. It was entirely surface and superficial.

A very formulaic teen coming of age that goes through the motions with no heart. The cast had no chemistry and the lines felt delivered rather than acted.

This is a cute high school to college summertime romance. The usual out-of-place, uptight, smart, old soul, sad girl meets: gorgeous, aimless, despondent, biker-boy (BMX, not motorcycle). It did NOT fail to satisfy my appetite for honest, feel good young love. The cliché, of course, is the obvious message to the audience that teens are actually more intelligent and level-headed than their parents. This time I'm not so certain they aren't correct! Her parents are all a few eggs short of an omelette.

The insecurity and bursts of emotion are navigated quite superbly, not too overwhelming; but sufficient enough to taste the angst, frustration, and potential for regret. Oh, to be young again.

What happened to Kate Bosworth? She only seems to do trailer park these days...

"Teen goes to the beach town of 'the other parent' to learn who they really are" is a pretty standard movie set-up. Maybe the book the movie is based on has elements from the real life of its author so the trope is less stereotypical and more biographical. Regardless, I think my only harsh critique is in the casting of Andie McDowell & Dermot Mulroney as parents of an 18 year-old only child, when they both have a full head of gray hair and are clearly well past or pushing 60. Both talented legendary actors, but time for them to accept that that parental roles are behind them now. Other than that it's a perfectly watchable coming of age story where the quiet kid finally learns to speak up and figure out where they want to go in life.

Beach themed coming-of-age romcom that doesn't wanna be more than it should - cute, semi-funny, pretty, etc. Won't shake up your world but will deliver summer vibes.