Title: Along for the Ride
MPAA Rating: TV-14
Director: Sofia Alvarez
Starring: Emma Pasarow, Belmont Cameli, Laura Kariuki
Runtime: 1 hr 46 mins

What It Is: Auden (Pasarow) is a promising young woman. Smart and with an excellent head on her shoulders. When she goes on a summer trip to visit her dad Robert (Dermot Mulroney) and his new, much younger, wife Heidi (Kaye Bosworth). It is in this small ocean bordered town that Auden meets the mysterious, bike-riding Eli (Cameli). As the two begin to show one and other who they really are a relationship begins to brew, but is this summer love or the real thing?

What We Think: This is certainly a charming little romantic comedy and one sure to be enjoyed by people like myself and others that love that cheesy romantic stuff. Emma Pasarow makes Auden at first unlikable but the script crafts her well and by the end you’re rooting for her and Eli. Likewise Laura Kariuki makes Maggie seem like the typical “mean girl” but again in the end that’s not where we land. That’s a theme for Alvarez’ film and subsequential her script (which she adapted from Sarah Dessen’s novel) none of the characters are who we think they are by films end. That’s a fantastic way to circumvent the relatively familiar story put forward here.

Our Grade: C+, It’s a completely fine romantic film. All of the characters are likable and though you can see what’s coming with this script as if it’s written on cellophane it’s charming enough and well directed enough to satisfy that itch. It’s an easy watch and easy to find being on Netflix. So if you’re like me and love a good romantic film check this one out. I do want to see more from the young stars of this one, it’ll be interesting to see where they go.