Love for family is centerstage in ‘Everything, Everything’
Everything, Everything is breaking down barriers in the film world.
The film examines the life of Maddy Whittier (Amandla Stenberg), a young girl whose illness forces her to stay home on her mother’s orders. Maddy breaks the rules when a new boy moves into her neighborhood and takes an interest in her.
The unusual love story manages to highlight a cast that is mostly of color and is centered around an interracial relationship, all without mentioning race or prejudice.
Entertainment Studios’ Jon Kelley caught up with Anika Noni Rose and Ana de la Reguera, who play Maddy’s mother and nurse in the film, respectively.
“I think that it’s very rare for so many women of color to be in one movie talking to each other, not talking about their color, or what their coming from, or their angst,” Rose said. “To be able to be the mother to a child in a movie where there is whimsy. And then directed by a woman, based on a book written by a woman. Both of whom happen to be black women. I mean it’s a really strong platform I think that we are able to stand on and be a part of in this.”
Much of the success of the film comes from the talent of the actors, especially 18-year-old Amandla Stenberg who the older stars laud for being wise beyond her years.
“She has this fresh new face, but there is also something about her that says ‘I’ve been here before’,” Rose said.
