“I ALL TOO WELL’d somebody” is a phrase people might say if they have a short relationship with a younger person. Sadly, I kept “someone like a secret while they kept me like an oath.”Â
But, that’s enough about me because Taylor Swift has returned to direct and co-star in her short film, ALL TOO WELL. In place of Jake Gyllenhaal and Swift are the always captivating Dylan O’Brien and Sadie Sink. From the “Upstate Escape” through the torturous “Reeling,” where “time won’t fly,” “this thing is a masterpiece.”Â
Swift’s directing style paints imagery with her vivid early Billy Joel-like lyrics that flawlessly complement each other. Watching O’Brien and Sink “dance around the refrigerator kitchen light” almost feels like we are eavesdropping on a real relationship.
After watching ALL TOO WELL, I asked myself again – “Is Swift for real? Because I just feel like I made her up.” Only Swift could get away with performing this ten-minute song on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. So I started thinking about what connects me so much to her music. And it’s three things:
- Her voice. It’s angelic-like and can transition from high to low flawlessly.
- Her stories. She continues to write stories about herself and others, giving all a voice.
- Her empathy. Swift is an empathy machine leaving nothing “lost in translation.” Her best songs are full of empathetic moments based on her life or stories that inspire her, thus inspiring her listeners.
As I repeatedly listen to ALL TOO WELL and the entire RED album, I smile thinking about the lyrics, “it’s supposed to be fun turning 21.” I’m still sorry for being “casually cruel in the name of being honest.” However, I’m thankful that my experience turned out the way it did. But, I should’ve returned that scarf.
ALL TOO WELL: THE SHORT FILM is available on YouTube.
