Over the past few years, Netflix has arguably become the biggest supplier of young adult content since The CW first emerged from the WB. Some might want to turn up their noses at the wide variety of YA movies and TV shows Netflix has come up with, but it's hard to deny that it's been quite successful for the behemoth streamer. Its latest addition to the YA canon, All Together Now, is decidedly different from Netflix's most popular films like The Kissing Booth and To All the Boys I've Loved Before. That doesn't necessarily mean it's better, though. Based on the YA novel Sorta Like a Rockstar by Matthew Quick, All Together Now contains moments that will undoubtedly make audiences jump for joy, and star Auli'i Cravalho (best known for voicing Moana) shines. At the same time, the film has its issues. Despite its fair amount of positives, All Together Now feels both too safe and too distant when it comes to its grittier subject matter.
Amber Appleton (Cravahlo) is a saint wrapped in a denim jacket. She regularly volunteers, spends her free time working at the local nursing home and donut shop, and even makes egg sandwiches every morning for her friend/crush Ty (Rhenzy Feliz) who drives her and their friends to school. She's also in charge of the school's variety show, which is put on every year for some good cause, and has an amazing singing voice. In short, Amber is perfect. The only thing that isn't perfect is her home life: she and her down-on-her-luck mother Becky (Justina Machado, very effective) start off All Together Now living in a school bus. This puts a damper on Amber's dreams, which involve enrolling in Carnegie Mellon. Nevertheless, Amber has a sunny exterior that hides her worries and endears her to everyone around her, including prickly nursing home resident Joan (an always welcome Carol Burnett).
Initially, All Together Now is all about Amber's efforts to keep her head above water and move toward that promise of a better life. Director Brett Haley (All the Bright Places) manages to avoid the biggest issue that often plagues films: showing instead of telling. By avoiding the typical YA framing device of a voiceover, Haley skillfully conveys vital things to the audience through images and simple, not expository dialogue, instead of having someone come right out and explain it. This works in All Together Now's favor, but it also can't stop it from feeling strangely distant from the difficult parts of its plot. Moments where Amber is alone on the school bus struggle to elicit much emotion, including one where it shows that she might not be safe there.
It isn't until just about halfway through All Together Now that examples of truly impactful emotions come through, and to explain what they are would be offering up spoilers. Still, how a viewer will feel about what happens to Amber on her journey to a better life will depend on how invested they are in her as a character. Cravahlo is undoubtedly a bright young talent, and one who deserves more opportunities as a former Disney heroine. She weaves between Amber's optimism and gradual disillusionment with ease; audiences will certainly root for her, especially because All Together Now really likes emphasizing how kindhearted she is. But that right there is also an issue within All Together Now: Amber has no major flaws, aside from some expected stubbornness. But even that, in the end, is born out of her heart of gold.
All told, that might not be a huge issue. With a story like All Together Now's, it's important that the audience supports the protagonist. In that sense, the film succeeds. Where it struggles, however, is truly conveying how dire and scary Amber and Becky's situation is. Yes, there are real consequences for the both of them, but aside from one sobering plot point, there's no real fear for Amber and Becky's well-being. That leaves All Together Now feeling strangely sanitized, despite touching upon things like homelessness, alcoholism, and abusive relationships.
Overall, though, this is Cravahlo's show, and she makes the most of it. The supporting cast is game to, well, support, though one wishes there were more glimpses of comedic titans like Burnett and Fred Armisen (as Amber's drama teacher). Because yes, despite the heavy subject matter, All Together Now is, at its heart, an uplifting film about an impressive young girl trying to beat the odds. There's probably little surprise about where Amber's story ends up, but the journey is worthwhile, if a little flawed.
All Together Now is now streaming on Netflix. It is 88 minutes long.