**Review of After (2019) (DVD)**
**Overview**
*After* (2019) is a romantic drama based on Anna Todds bestselling novel, which began as fan fiction inspired by the *One Direction* fandom. Directed by Jenny Gage and starring Josephine Langford and Hero Fiennes Tiffin, the film follows the emotional ups and downs of young love, exploring passion, heartbreak, and self-discovery. The DVD release offers a clean presentation of the film with solid audiovisual quality and a handful of bonus features aimed at fans of the franchise.
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### **Film Summary**
Tessa Young (Josephine Langford) is a bright and disciplined college freshman whose life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Hardin Scott (Hero Fiennes Tiffin), a brooding and rebellious classmate with a mysterious past. Their connection sparks instantly, leading to an intense and complicated romance that challenges Tessas values, relationships, and sense of identity.
The film plays heavily into the opposites-attract formula Tessas innocence contrasted with Hardins emotional turbulence. Langford delivers a grounded, sympathetic performance that makes Tessa relatable, while Fiennes Tiffin embodies the archetypal troubled romantic lead with understated charm. Their chemistry carries much of the film, compensating for its familiar story beats. While *After* doesnt break new ground in the romance genre, it resonates with its target audience through emotional sincerity and youthful energy.
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### **Picture & Sound Quality**
The *After* DVD offers strong technical quality for a standard-definition release. The picture is presented in anamorphic widescreen with consistent clarity and well-balanced color grading that complements the films moody, intimate tone.
Audio is provided in Dolby Digital 5.1, offering clear dialogue, immersive ambient sound, and a smooth mix of the films contemporary pop soundtrack. The music a key part of the films emotional appeal blends seamlessly with the visuals to enhance the romantic atmosphere.
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### **Special Features**
The DVD includes a concise but satisfying set of extras that explore the making of the film and its fan-driven origins:
* **Behind the Scenes Featurette:** Interviews with cast and crew on adapting the novel, developing the characters, and capturing the tone of first love.
* **The Cast on Their Characters Featurette:** Focused discussions with Josephine Langford and Hero Fiennes Tiffin about portraying Tessa and Hardins relationship dynamics.
* **Deleted Scenes:** A few brief moments that add extra context to certain character interactions.
* **Trailer:** Standard promotional inclusion.
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### **Final Verdict**
*After (2019)* delivers exactly what it promises a modern young-adult romance filled with longing, tension, and emotional conflict. While predictable and occasionally melodramatic, it succeeds in appealing to its intended audience through attractive leads, strong chemistry, and sleek cinematography. The DVDs technical presentation is solid, and its extras provide modest insight into the adaptation process.
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### **Pros**
* Convincing chemistry between the leads
* Stylish cinematography and emotional soundtrack
* Faithful adaptation for fans of the novel
* Clean DVD presentation and solid audio balance
### **Cons**
* Familiar, formulaic story structure
* Limited depth in supporting characters
* Bonus features are brief and fan-oriented
* Standard-definition visuals lack sharpness compared to HD versions
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### **Recommendation**
**Recommended for fans of the novel and young-adult romance films.** *After (2019) (DVD)* offers a visually appealing, emotionally charged love story that captures the spirit of youthful passion and self-discovery, making it a worthwhile addition for viewers who enjoy contemporary romantic dramas.
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