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THE STORIED LIFE OF A.J. FIKRY (2022)
PG-13 ‧  Drama ‧ 1 Hour 45 Minutes
Written by Gabrielle Zevin 
Directed by ‎Hans Canosa

THE CAST

Kunal Nayyar, Lucy Hale, Christina Hendricks, Blaire Brown, Lauren Stamile, with David Arquette and Scott Foley

THE STORY

(In their own words) Based on the New York Times best-selling novel, bookstore owner A.J.Fikry’s (Kunal Nayyar) life is not turning out as he expected as he struggles both emotionally and financially. After his wife’s tragic death, he feels lost and left behind in the rapidly evolving world of today. As he tries to keep his store afloat, he begins to drink his sorrows away, ultimately hitting rock bottom when his most prized possession, a series of Edgar Allen Poe poems, are stolen. But when a mysterious package appears at the bookstore, the unexpected arrival gives Fikry a new lease on life, and love, that are greater than he ever imagined. The film also stars Lucy Hale, Christina Hendricks, Scott Foley, and David Arquette.

THE BEST
The BEST things about the film

1. The characters are likable. Everyone in the film has a bit of charisma that you kind of like. Even the characters that maybe you aren’t supposed to that much. It really did succeed in getting me interested in the characters in film.
2. The art direction. The film did a really great job of bringing to life this quaint little island town. 
3. The messages – The messages involving finding something to live for and putting love first in your life make for enjoyable stories. 

THE WORST

The WORST things about the Film

1. Didn’t show the most exciting things. The most interesting things in the story seem to happen during the times of AJ’s life that we don’t see. He finds the baby, decides to foster her, then they jump forward in time like 8 years. Whoa, when do we get to see him learn how to parent and learn how to love after losing love. You know how a good movie trailer is supposed to show you enough of a film to get you interested in the movie, but not show you the exciting parts. It was almost like this film was a trailer for the book. It made me want to read the book so I can experience the exciting things that happened. I hope they are in the book, otherwise I don’t know why I’m reading it.
   
2. Films should be about what’s happening. This film is more about what happened since the last time you saw them. I watch movies to see how people deal with life, not to hear a summary from years later. That’s an epilogue. It’s like this film is just a bunch of epilogues. 

THE LESSON

Never give up on finding love. In all its forms. 

IS IT REWATCHABLE

Yes. It isn’t bad. It’s kind of pleasant. I would watch it again if someone wanted to see it for some reason. But I’m more likely on my own to give the book a try. 

THE FINAL WORD

It’s a pleasant enough film. The characters are likable and the set up for the story is interesting. This film adaptation of the book of the same name feels more like a trailer for the book because it skips over the most interesting moments of the characters lives, making it feel more like a series of epilogues.  It’s not a bad film, it just feels incomplete. I would rewatch it, but I’d rather read the book and see if it offers anything more. 

THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It. 

I give a The Storied Life Of AJ Firkry a tentative Like It. 

THE TRAILER

THE MEME REVIEW