Life in a Year (2020)

Life in a Year Poster

A 17 year old finds out that his girlfriend is dying, so he sets out to give her an entire life, in the last year she has left.

Film Overview
"Life in a Year" is a 2020 romantic drama film directed by Mitja Okorn and written by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews. It features a star-studded cast led by Jaden Smith and Cara Delevingne. The motion picture checks out the themes of love, life, and living every minute as if it could be the last.

Plot Summary
The movie informs the story of 17-year-old ambitious DJ Daryn Asher (Jaden Smith), who copes with his perfectionist daddy Xavier (Cuba Gooding Jr.) and supportive mom Catherine (Nia Long). En route to a crucial audition, Daryn meets Isabelle (Cara Delevingne), an eccentric lady from a troublesome family. Although their encounter is quick, Daryn discovers himself enthralled by her.

When he finds that Isabelle is passing away of ovarian cancer and has only a year to live, Daryn chooses to offer her a complete year's worth of life experiences in the staying months they have. Thus, the tragic journey to satisfy 'a year's worth life experiences' begins, encapsulating the truth and depth of puppy love and the value of time.

Setting and Development of the Story
"Life in a Year" takes place in humble settings, highlighting the journey of two teens attempting to live life to its max in the middle of grave misfortune. Daryn's wealthy background is sharply contrasted with Isabelle's more modest upbringing, successfully underscoring the variations in between their lives.

The relationship between Daryn and Isabelle deepens as the movie progresses. They share their worries, insecurities, dreams and the looming shadow of Isabelle's illness. The trips they share together, from senior prom night to birthdays, end up being extremely poignant as they unfold in ordinary settings turned remarkable by the scenarios.

Performance and Reception
Jaden Smith shines in his portrayal of Daryn, offering depth to his character as he oscillates in between the carefree teen drawn to his first love, and the boy facing impending loss. On The Other Hand, Cara Delevingne impresses as the eccentric, bold yet vulnerable Isabelle, skillfully weaving the components of the dying girl desperate to live her life fully in the brief span she has.

"Life in a Year", however, got combined evaluations from the audience and critics alike. While some hailed it as psychological and touching, others found the plotline predictable and clichéd. Critics pointed out the stereotyped 'falling for a dying woman' trope, but the amazing efficiencies by the leading set kept the audience engaged.

Conclusion
Overall, "Life in a Year" is a poignant representation of young love faced with the harsh truth of mortality. With captivating efficiencies from Smith and Delevingne, the film elucidates the meaning of making the most out of every moment and advises us that the period of life is less considerable than how we pick to live it.

Top Cast

  • Jaden Smith (small)
    Jaden Smith
    Daryn
  • Cara Delevingne (small)
    Cara Delevingne
    Isabelle
  • Cuba Gooding Jr. (small)
    Cuba Gooding Jr.
    Xavier
  • Nia Long (small)
    Nia Long
    Catherine
  • RZA (small)
    RZA
    Ron
  • JT Neal (small)
    JT Neal
    Sammy
  • Chris D'Elia (small)
    Chris D'Elia
    Phil
  • Harper Gunn (small)
    Harper Gunn
    Little Girl
  • Dan Tymon (small)
    Dan Tymon
    Jackson