I have never wanted to move to a small town more than I did after watching this film – but there’s a reason why I’m still a city girl.
Lionsgate’s latest movie, Float, has a very interesting origin story, as it happens to be an adaptation of a Wattpad novel written by Kate Marchant.
For those who don’t know, Wattpad is a notorious platform used by preteens and young adults to write and indulge in fanfiction and various other kinds of stories. It’s actually where I wrote my first-ever story, a 10-page novel where I made myself the victor of the 73rd Annual Hunger Games (which is, oddly enough, an IP that’s also owned by Lionsgate).
There is a lot of youthful silliness associated with Wattpad, but don’t let its reputation fool you. Believe it or not, Wattpad has created some of the most infamous and beloved romances in film history. This includes everyone’s favorite erotica, Fifty Shades of Grey, and the hated Netflix franchise After. Joey King and Jacob Elordi also have Wattpad to thank for their increasing stardom, as Netflix’s The Kissing Booth was adapted from one of the platform’s novels as well.
Unlike the films just mentioned, Lionsgate’s Float has a beautiful mission of showcasing diversity and inclusion through its delightful ensemble cast. Asian women have rarely been given the lead role in romance films, and it was such a joy getting to see a movie that depicts authentic representation in a genre that is usually flooded with solely white leads.
The lead character of Float being an Asian woman is a change from the original novel. This was an intentional choice made by director Sherren Lee, who wanted to tell a story that included her own cultural background and a perspective more relatable to her own.
Another change from the novel is the location of where the lead character, Waverly, stays over the course of her romantic summer. Instead of moving from Fairbanks, Alaska, to Holden, Florida, Waverly finds herself moving from Chicago, Illinois, to a Canadian coastal beach town with her aunt.
Now, when I say that this is the most stunning small town I’ve ever seen in my life, I am not exaggerating. Float was filmed just outside of Vancouver in gorgeous towns like Tofino and Squamish, and I cannot get over how badly I want to visit these locations. It wouldn’t be surprising if this film leads to the most massive tourist surge that the towns of Tofino and Squamish have ever seen. The cinematography is absolutely delicious.
Plot wise, the film’s strongest aspects are when the story focuses on Waverly’s personal growth with finding community and reconnecting with family. Unfortunately, many will watch this film in hopes of a good romance, but that happens to be the weakest part of the movie by far.
While the chemistry is there, Robbie Amell’s character, Blake, makes himself incredibly untrustworthy to both Waverly and the audience. It’s hard to root for a relationship when the man spends half of the movie trying to leave and abandon said relationship.
Blake’s excuses as to why he could not be in a relationship with Waverly felt like the biggest load of lies one could ever hear, but maybe I was just projecting from my own experiences. Who knows.
Both the family and romance plotlines feel slightly half-baked in Float, but Waverly’s scenes with her parents are still much more intriguing than the latter. The true highlight of the movie is how successful Waverly is at being able to integrate into a brand-new community of lovable characters. She makes moving to a new town seem like the easiest thing in human history, as the film romanticizes the beauty of getting a fresh start.
Andrea Bang, who plays Waverly, does a great job at playing an endearing and sweet protagonist. Michelle Krusiec, who plays Waverly’s aunt, is also just as enjoyable and helps center the film with a bit of fun and lighthearted humor.
Many will find actress Rukiya Bernard to be the fan favorite of the film, as her performance is filled with tons of heart and charismatic energy. Her character also offers an amazing storyline not often found within LGBTQ+ romances, as she plays a married and pregnant woman in a queer relationship. Actors Andrew Bachelor and Ghazal Azarbad also shine bright as members of Waverly’s newly found community, making the coastal beach town feel even more warm and homey.
All in all, Wattpad does not deserve the disrespect it always gets. I personally find the Wattpad hate to be somewhat rooted in misogyny, but that’s for another day. Float is a perfectly palatable romance, but where it really shines is in its storytelling about finding community and reconnecting with family. If there was a greater focus on those aspects rather than whatever Amell’s character was doing, Float could’ve found its head above water; instead, it remains submerged beneath the waves.
Float releases in theaters on February 9.
