Firstly, let’s just address the elephant in the room. We would’ve loved nothing more than to sit in a packed theater, watched this film, then met with the masterminds behind this film. With one of the main themes of this film being mental health, and more directly, anxiety, Pink Skies Ahead feels incredibly intimate, giving us a first hand experience at what dealing with anxiety looks like in the transitional period between adolescence and adulthood.

Set in a sunkissed 1998 Los Angeles, Kelly Oxford’s Pink Skies Ahead follows Winona (Jessica Barden), a twenty year old aspiring writer, as she tries to explore her growing independence in a world that, at times, she doesn’t feel prepared for. In the midst of her exploration into adulthood, Winona is diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Throughout the rest of the film, Winona drags her feet to the conclusion that she does, in fact, have an anxiety disorder, ultimately leading to her acceptance of the condition.

At first glance, Pink Skies Ahead came across like an attempt at making a different version of Lady Bird (funny enough, Odeya Rush plays a remarkably similar character in both films). This film seems to find it’s own voice rather quickly however. While we do follow Winona exploring her first steps into adulthood and real-world responsibilities, that ultimately takes the passenger seat to her newly discovered panic disorder.

Time and time again, we see films try their best to execute what an anxiety attack looks and feels like, only to have them fall short, and at times, leaving us feeling genuinely offended at how they displayed this debilitating experience. As someone who struggles with severe anxiety and panic attacks, I found Oxford’s portrayal of anxiety to be the most realistic portrayal of anxiety I’ve ever seen in a film. I must say, I didn’t see it this way in the first half. As a matter of fact, it almost came across like a trivialization of anxiety. As Winona’s acceptance of her condition progresses, the experience quickly becomes very real. Barden’s take on this character is so authentic, raw, and genuine, that we can only think there is a part of Winona’s character inside of the actress. It’s almost as if there is no one else who could’ve played this character. The incredible casting doesn’t stop at Barden however. Every piece of the ensemble, from Henry Winkler to Mary J. Blige, leads Pink Skies Ahead to the perfect formula.

Pink Skies Ahead feels like one long, reassuring hug, telling you “it’s okay, you’re feelings are valid, and you are not alone in this scary experience”.

*As of October 16th, MTV Studios has acquired the worldwide rights to Pink Skies Ahead* 

This review would not be possible without the 2020 AFI Film Festival sponsored by Audi.

OVERALL: 44.5/50 (89%)

CINEMATOGRAPHY: 8.5/10

ACTING: 10/10

EDITING: 8/10

WRITING: 9/10

DIRECTION: 9/10

CAST:

JESSICA BARDEN - WINONA

ROSA SALAZAR - ADDIE

ODEYA RUSH - STEPHANIE

MICHAEL McKEAN - RICHARD

MARCIA GAY HARDEN - PAMELA