Not all Fridays are created equal in terms of new cinema releases. Like this week, which offers an emotionally fraught romantic drama (the fourth in a critically reviled series), and an animated family film out of Europe that is targetting the littlies.
After Ever Happy
In the fourth and final film in the After series (based on Anna Todd’s novel series), Tessa and Hardin are at a crossroads: Does Tessa continue trying to save him and their relationship, or is it time to save herself? While Hardin remains in London after his mother’s wedding and sinks deeper into darkness, Tessa returns to Seattle and endures a tragedy. If they want their love to survive, they’ll need to work on themselves first, as Tessa is no longer the sweet, simple, good girl she was when she met Hardin—any more than he is the cruel, moody boy she fell so hard for. Josephine Langford and Hero Fiennes Tiffin return as the will-they-won’t-they couple who owe a lot to Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey.
Best Birthday Ever
Best Birthday Ever is a German-Dutch-Swedish co-production aimed at children aged three to seven. It’s based on the book series Karlchen (Little Charlie) by German author Rotraut Susanne Berner. Young rabbit Charlie is used to having his parents’ full attention, but that changes when his baby sister Clara is born. When his parents have to rush Clara to the doctor on his birthday, a bitterly disappointed Charlie gathers up his stuffed animals and sets off to Grandma’s house where he believes he’ll be appreciated. Unfortunately, he takes a wrong turn and ends up in the forest – a place of hidden dangers for rabbits, and loads of adventure.