Quick Take: Lili Reinhart gives a phenomenal performance in this YA adaptation, which sentimentally captures the fiery nature of teenage feelings.
When we fall in love, our brains are flooded with dopamine and serotonin, also known as the “love drugs.” This chemical concoction makes that attraction addictive. For Henry Page (Austin Abrams) this reaction happens almost immediately when he and Grace Town (Lili Reinhart) are partnered as Editors in Chief for their school newspaper in Amazon Studios’ new film Chemical Hearts. Like many teenage romance films, this story is based on the Young Adult novel Our Chemical Hearts by Krystal Sullivan and the title refers to the chemical reactions in the brain that result from love.
What sets this romantic drama apart from the rest is writer/director Richard Tanne’s use of adolescent struggle and pain. Through Henry and Grace, we see that you cannot force your love on a person if they aren’t ready. Tanne uses the idea of brain chemistry and chemical connections to heighten Henry’s attraction and tireless desire to be with her. But for Grace, the attraction is a welcomed distraction from the everyday reminder that her great love is gone forever.
Abrams and Reinhart’s carefully crafted characters are the most addicting part of this film. Abrams uses small, perfectly timed gestures and pauses to show Henry’s indecisive nature and eagerness to be with Grace. Nothing was more relatable than watching Henry try to craft a perfect text to send, one that would get Grace to respond, only to quickly erase it and sigh an admittance that that tactic is the worst. It’s realistic and relatable, not to mention cueing my own memories of doing the same. Reinhart gives Grace layers and depth that show the intricacies and nuances of grief, and how depression can be incapacitating. She has been open about her personal journey with depression making this performance not only grounded but phenomenal.
Although the stereotypical teenage clichés are sprinkled throughout, Chemical Hearts captures the fiery nature of teenage feelings. Though we want our love story to be perfect and simple, Tanne reminds us that we all have cracks, and the hard part isn’t finding love but accepting ourselves.
Distributed by Amazon Studios, Chemical Hearts is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video today.
