All Too Well, a short film Review
Shattering lyrics and a heartbreaking plot shape this film into one of Swift’s greatest projects to date, with our two leads dazzling in the cinematic masterpiece that is “All Too Well.” Written and directed by Taylor Swift, the film portrays a union between the youthful, glowing, Sadie Sink as “Her,” and Dylan O’Brien’s older, handsome “Him” that results in a passionate yet problematic relationship. The age difference alone makes the story even more heartbreaking, and, allegedly, is one of the reasons behind the couple’s breakup (according to skillful lip readers). Although the relationship between Him and Her is complex and full of red flags (not to mention the gaslighting endured by Her), their passionate yet calamitous love is one for the ages.
The film is stained with reminders of what the short romance once was: timeless and unforgettable. Because of this, it makes it all the harder when Him devastatingly breaks the sacred oath by ending the relationship, causing Her to “walk home alone” and spiral into “plaid shirt days.” Due to the seriousness of the film, O’Brien and Sink’s acting skills were immaculate in terms of capturing the intense love between the couple. This project certainly opened the door to both of their acting ranges: they’re both notorious for their hit supernatural shows (Teen Wolf and Stranger Things, respectively). “All Too Well” reflects the woman’s young-eyed glance at a relationship and how she’s matured over the years (referencing Swift and the character Her). They both turned a traumatic yet illicit affair into a poignant and resonating experience for other people. Cleverly placed easter eggs such as the infamous scarf (Jake Gyllenhaal, looking at you), dancing in the refrigerator light (lyric from the namesake song), the red typewriter (where Her writes the bestselling novel All Too Well), and Swift’s new merchandise (playing cards) featured throughout the film fueled multiple theories surrounding the next big Taylor Swift project that has yet to come.
“All Too Well: The Short Film” is now streaming on Youtube.