The film Before I Fall is the story of Samantha, and her best friends Lindsey, Ally, and Elody. Samantha seems to have it all; popularity, a hot boyfriend, and a bright future. The story opens as Samantha is getting up in the morning for school. It is Cupid’s Day at their school, a fun day where Valograms (long-stem roses with notes attached) are passed out. This is a big day for Samantha because she is planning to lose her virginity to her boyfriend Rob that night. As the day goes on she receives a rose from a childhood friend Kent and Rob. At lunch, the girls make fun of a shy, outsider girl named Juliet and discuss the party that they will be attending that evening at Kent’s house. While at the party a fight breaks between the ring leader Lindsey and Juliet. Juliet eventually ends up running out of the party crying. Samantha, Lindsey, Ally, and Elody then decide to leave the party. As they are driving they are caring on a normal conversation as if nothing had just happened when suddenly a truck hits them. Samantha wakes up and she is laying in her bed unharmed and it is Cupids Day once again. 
Her whole day repeats over and over again. This is a story not only about young love but also about love for family and friends. You will see how the little moments turn into the greatest memories and even the smallest change in your actions can make a difference. It is a truly inspiring story that will make you think twice about the decisions you make and the actions you take in life. I believe everyone should watch this movie as it contains such a deep meaning towards the life you decide to live. You get a choice in life to become the “One” or the “Other” and it is up to you how you handle that role in life. You can be kind, generous, and caring towards others while still having power over the “Other”. The choice is yours. Be who you want to be remembered for.
This story resembles the “One” and the “Other” concept from Simone deBeauvoir’s book The Second Sex. Samantha and her friends are the “One” as they strut around school as if the world revolves around them. They act as if they are entitled and are owed respect. When Kent tries to talk to Samantha after he gifts her a rose she throws it away in the trash and acts completely offended that he even tried to speak to her, even though they grew up together. Her friends receive over twenty roses and they discuss how they mean nothing because they are from their stalkers. Juliet is the “Other” in this story as the girls make rude comments about her by calling her “psycho” and making fun of her hair and outfit. They even gift her a Valogram that reads “maybe next year but probably not”. Lindsey also dumps her drink on Juliet at the party. This movie is based on a novel and I think the author’s purpose in writing it was to show you that every moment counts so make the most of them because you never know how long you have left. Treat others with kindness and respect and live in the moment. Life is fragile, you do not have forever, no one does. What you do today matters, become the person you want to be and the person you want to be remembered for.
“Maybe for you, there’s a tomorrow. Maybe for you, there’s 1,000 or 3,000, or ten. But for some of us, there’s only today. And what you do today matters. In the moment, and maybe into infinity. I see only my greatest hits. I see the things I want to remember. And be remembered for. That’s when I realize that certain moments go on forever. Even after they are over, they still go on. They are the meaning.” (Before I Fall 1:31:22-1:32:29)