Strong Performances by Gardner and Sprouse with Hit-or-Miss Comedy

When audiences think of movies based on books originally published on Wattpad, it might elicit a groan. Movies like the After franchise have a significant following from a dedicated fan base, but general audiences tend to dislike the dynamic between the two individuals in the relationship showcased on screen.

Beautiful Disaster could be the exception to that. It follows Abby (Virginia Gardner), a first-year college student trying to escape a troubled past by starting over in college. While there, she meets Travis (Dylan Sprouse), a sophomore and underground fighter who seems to be everything Abby is trying to avoid. After a bet, the two grow closer and more involved in each other’s lives.

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The movie is based on the book of the same name by Jamie McGuire. Rather than stick to the page, Beautiful Disaster improves on the source material to carve a niche for itself in what is arguably an oversaturated market today.

Smart Changes That Improve the Narrative

Voltage Pictures

Beautiful Disaster takes what many would consider the tired trope of a young woman going to college and immediately falling for an older guy and spins it in a new direction. While the implication is that both Travis and Abby fall for each other nearly instantly, there is constant recognition on Abby’s part that he isn’t what she needs in her life, and that there is a distinct reason behind her choice.

As a tween and teen, Abby was a well-known poker player. As her skills grew, her father’s, who was also a great player, declined, which caused a rift between the two. Rather than live a life as a professional poker player, Abby fled, choosing to go to college with her best friend America (Libe Barer). It may be an outlandish premise, but it’s the details that keep it from being a surface-level idea. When Abby tries to pay her tuition, she brings in cash because she doesn’t have a bank account. She starts trying to plan for a job, recognizing that the money she was able to take with her won’t last forever. While these are small details, they create a less-than-perfect runaway story, which is always appreciated.

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The twist of the third act, which does vary significantly from the source material, also adds depth to Abby’s tale. He is willing to force his daughter into a lifestyle as long as he gets out unscathed (and with plenty of money). The audience isn’t left wondering if her relationship with her father is salvageable at that moment. It shows that Abby’s actions are justified and provides important character development.

Additionally, the toxic nature of Abby and Travis’ relationship in the book can be polarizing, but the film significantly improves upon their dynamic. While Travis is still depicted as protective, it is instead done in a way that lends to the humorous nature the movie is aiming for. Their fights are typically behind closed doors, rather than out in public, and issues are worked through rather than left to stew. These improvements, alongside the change in Abby’s story, craft a narrative that stands out from its peers in the right way.

Comedy Is Key… Sometimes

Voltage Pictures

Unlike other films that would fall into the same category, Beautiful Disaster leans more into the comedy aspect of the story rather than the drama. That isn’t to say the movie is devoid of drama, but it uses comedy to propel the plot in meaningful directions and to hint at each character’s true nature, which was a welcome change. Highlights include a scene featuring Travis’ cousin Shepley (Austin North) struggling on a motorcycle and Abby’s reaction to a sleep-touching incident.

However, the comedy isn’t always successful. Some scenes, particularly those that are a bit more risqué in nature, sometimes cross over into a territory that makes you squirm with secondhand embarrassment for the characters. This is mostly due to it being a touch over the top or trying to make the gag last longer than it needs to. Rather than laughing along, you may find yourself laughing out of confusion over what you’re witnessing on screen.

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This also extends to Travis’ trash talk during the fights. While the fight sequences are wonderfully edited and entertaining to watch, they are ruined in part by how Travis reacts to their outcomes or the way he antagonizes his opponents. It was truly bizarre to watch the fighter make monkey noises while climbing the bars of the fighting arena, and not in the best way.

Strong Performances Elevate the Script

Voltage Pictures

These issues are ultimately rooted in the script and editing and not the performances of Gardner or Sprouse. Both bring substance to the scenes, and even if the writing doesn’t always work, it’s clear the actors are having a great time filming them. Gardner’s performance is what sells Abby’s story. She nails the comedic timing, particularly during the character’s casino scene, while showing a wide range of emotions that always reach her eyes, adding to Abby’s vulnerability in the final act.

Sprouse is particularly expressive, adding to the enigma that the film wants you to believe Travis is. Not only does the actor channel that into great comedic timing, but it works well during the serious beats. The shift from his ringside behavior to interacting with Abby is stark in a way that reveals the layers of the character, and Sprouse’s portrayal drives that home.

Ultimately, Beautiful Disaster improves on the adaptation format by focusing on more positive aspects of the relationship between Abby and Travis, while modifying the plot to give Abby’s past more depth. Fans of the book may be disappointed in the changes, but it does create a story that differentiates itself from others in the genre, gives the characters more agency, and is reminiscent in its tone of the rom-coms of the 2000s due to the comedic focus.

Beautiful Disaster, a new film from Voltage Pictures, is available on video on demand starting May 2.

You can view the original article HERE.