Criticizing this movie for being on the nose is a bit like criticizing it for being shot in color (as it is, in lovely, moody shades of gray, by cinematographer Michael Fimognari). Then again, the recent classics of romantic young-adult fiction and the glossy, tear-streaked cinema they have inspired are not exactly cherished for their subtlety in the first place. It’s one of many early indicators - Sam’s pensive, wall-to-wall voice-over is another - that “Before I Fall,” adapted by Maria Maggenti from a popular novel by Lauren Oliver, will not be the subtlest of movies. “Sisyphus!” Sam’s English teacher declares early on, underlining the name on the chalkboard for good measure. It begins with a rude awakening, proceeds through a gantlet of giggles, builds to a wild keg party and then ends with a deadly car crash - only to suddenly rewind itself and start all over again. “Before I Fall” tells the story of a teenager named Samantha who, like a younger female version of Phil Connors in “Groundhog Day,” is forced to relive the same 24-hour period over and over again.
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