Rey Selvage

Out of My Mind was one of my favorite books growing up, so I was genuinely excited for this adaptation. But honestly? I’m frustrated and disappointed. The only characters in the entire movie who were even remotely likable were Melody, her old neighbor Ms. V, and maybe her dad. That’s it. I think the filmmakers wanted Rose to come across as redeemable, but let’s be real—she wasn’t. She was a jerk from start to finish, just like pretty much everyone else. And then, after Melody’s speech, we’re supposed to believe they’re just buddies again? Really? Rose never seemed like she wanted to be Melody’s friend at all. Maybe it was the actress, but she constantly looked irritated and miserable, like befriending Melody was some kind of chore. The movie also felt way too short. So many characters who were crucial to Melody’s story and her support system were either completely sidelined or turned into shallow, one-note additions. It’s infuriating because they could have added so much depth to the story. Sure, the cinematography was beautiful, and I even liked a few of the changes they made. But overall? This adaptation made me hate almost everyone except Melody, and that’s not how I wanted to feel. And then, the ending felt so rushed! There needed to be more time to explore the ripple effects of Melody’s speech, but instead, it just ended without enough resolution. What a letdown.