Story
After much encouragement from her best friend Chloe (Lyrica Okano), Laura (Clara Rugaard) finally decides to go out with Harrison (Lewis Pullman). But Laura doesn’t realise how much she’ll soon come to care for him and how their meeting will shape her life.
As they spend time together and the relationship blossoms, the couple begin making a mix tape of meaningful songs. But before the tape is finished, Harrison is killed and Laura is left to go on without him. In her grief, Laura leaves the mix tape at the store where they met and tries to move on with her life.
Four years later, the tape is given back to her. The moment Laura presses play, she’s taken back to the moment she and Harrison first heard the song. She’s also taken back in time to him, but the reunion lasts only the length of the song.
Laura tries to convince Harrison that she isn’t crazy, that she’s from the future and that he’ll die. She also does everything she can to prevent the inevitable from happening. The problem is that none of her warnings work.
With time running out, Laura must choose whether to spend their last moments together hatching another plan or simply to cherish this moment with the love of her life. Unless there’s another way ...
Themes
Death of a loved one; grief; the consequences of our choices; time travel
Violence
Press Play has some violence. For example:
- Harrison looks at the speeding car that hits him seconds before it happens. The impact isn’t shown.
- In alternative versions, we’re told that Harrison falls off a rocky cliff top, is killed in a crash with his father, and is electrocuted.
Sexual references
There are no sexual references in Press Play.
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
Press Play shows some use of substances. For example:
- People drink alcohol at a party and a gallery exhibition.
- A character smokes what might be marijuana.
- There’s a reference to the drug Ecstasy.
- Guests sip champagne at a wedding. It looks like Laura drinks too much alcohol.
- A drunk driver kills Harrison.
- A man offers Laura a rum and coke, which she accepts.
Nudity and sexual activity
Press Play has some nudity and sexual activity. For example:
- Laura and Harrison kiss passionately several times.
- Laura leaves the bed of a random guy after having a one-night stand. He sits up in bed with a bare torso and asks for her number, but she dismisses him.
Product placement
The following products are displayed or used in Press Play:
- Sony Walkman
- Apple laptop
- Coke, which is mentioned by name but not shown.
Coarse language
Press Play has some coarse language.
Ideas to discuss with your children
Press Play is a well-cast romantic drama, although we never really get to know the characters. The plot is highly improbable, but it’s set against a beautiful Hawaiian backdrop.
Because of its themes, Press Play is best suited to teenage and older audiences.
These are the main messages from Press Play:
- Music has the power to take you back to special moments in your life.
- We never have enough time with the ones we love.
- There are things in life that we can’t control.
Values in Press Play that you could reinforce with your children include loyalty, persistence, courage, love and trust.
Press Play could also give you the chance to talk with your children about the real-life consequences of things like:
- trying to control things that are beyond us
- holding on to the past and refusing to live in the present
- being unable to cope with profound grief and how this can affect people
- using negative or destructive behaviour to deal with personal pain.