All My Life

If you decorate your walls with positive quotes, this life-affirming romance about death is for you. It's more than a satisfying full-blown love story; it's really an outlook. Based on a true story, it feels real. Of course, it's also a major studio release, so there's definitely some Hollywood polish. As played by Rothe and Shum, Jenn and Sol are the cutest, and much of the film is dedicated to watching their love story build. Unlike other couples in the "terminal romance" subgenre who must overcome a couple of obstacles, the only conflict these two really encounter is cancer.

That may be a little too straightforward and simple for some, but for teens who love love, it should be welcome. Jenn and Sol have a great relationship based on mutual respect. Jenn lays down "rules" and doesn't let Sol give up on his dreams or himself. The vows they express to each other are the hallmarks of what young people should be looking for to know whether they've found "the one." Where parents may want to offer some guidance, though, is in pointing out that while Jenn and Sol react to their challenges in a human way, they don't seem to have any flaws -- and that's not so realistic. On the other hand, setting viewers up to see Jenn as an aspirational figure works for the movie's overall message. The way she processes her grief is extraordinary, offering an ideal that's meant to inspire all of us to be grateful for what we have while we have it -- and let it nourish us when we don't. For older tweens and teens overwhelmed by frustrations, this positive, grounded story about pursuing love in sickness and in health may be just what the doctor ordered.