You're In For a Good Cry: Saving Zoë

Saving Zoë, a novel-made-into-movie, tells the story in the perspective of Echo (portrayed by Laura Marano), a high school freshman whose sister, Zoë (Vanessa Marano), was murdered the year before. Throughout the story, we learn more about Zoë’s past and who she really was as Echo uncovers Zoë’s diary. The book was originally written by Alyson Noël in 2007, and it recently (but not too recently, more on that later,) became a movie produced by Laura, Vanessa, and Ellen Marano, that was released on July 12th, 2019.

"Saving Zoë" Official Poster.

I’ve been a fan of the Marano sisters’ work for years, but for the rare species unfamiliar with their art, you may recognize Vanessa as the wild, boombox-lunchbox carrying Lane Abley in The Clique, the adorable daughter of Luke’s, April Nardini, in Gilmore Girls, survivor of human trafficking, Holly Wheeler, in Grey’s Anatomy, and most notably, the headstrong, sarcastic, but has a heart of gold, Bay Kennish in Switched at Birth. Laura, on the other hand, portrayed a young Amy Harrington in the heartfelt story A Sort of Homecoming, she is often known as the adorkable Ally Dawson in Disney’s Austin and Ally,and recently, she starred as the badass female lead on Netflix’s The Perfect Date. Aside from writing Saving Zoë, Alyson Noël is also recognized for writing The Immortals and Soul Seekers series.

Laura, Alyson, Vanessa, and Ellen on set of "Saving Zoë."

Prior to attending YALLWEST, a Young Adult book festival at the Santa Monica High School back in May, I had very little knowledge of the project, except that it was in production and had been for some time. The day after my semester ended, I flew out to Los Angeles on the morning of YALLWEST, and went straight to the panel. I walked in, not knowing at all what to expect, but little did I know, it was an extremely wonderful and empowering time. I gained so much insight regarding Alyson’s personal story and what had inspired her to write the novel, as well as the Maranos’ background from optioning the book over 10 years ago, to the experience of producing and acting in the same project, and the challenges of getting it distributed. We were able to ask them questions during the panel, with a signing that followed, where we had the chance to personally talk with the Marano sisters and Alyson, and take pictures. I walked out of YALLWEST with a signed copy of the book, more knowledge about Saving Zoë,its production process, as well as some new friends and connections I had in life. As a broke business and productions student, I was ecstatic about this experience.

Meeting these incredible gals at YALLWEST in Santa Monica, CA.

Unfortunately, I hadn’t had the opportunity to get my hands on the book before the panel, since the last two years of my reading consisted of finance, economics, and accounting textbooks; but after YALLWEST, I dove right in. I read from cover to cover, and couldn’t get myself put the book down for days. Yes, and sorry, I’m going to include some spoilers, but as a YA novel, it was very emotionally moving.

We learned, with Echo, that her sister had another side of her that no one in the family knew about, yet, Zoë still tried to be the best sister possible. In one diary entry, Zoë wrote about how Echo’s birthday was coming up, that she went out to get her sister a present, and hid it in her closet so Echo wouldn’t find it. Zoë never ended up getting to give the present to Echo before she died, and when Echo read that, she went into Zoë’s room, and the present, a diary for Echo, was exactly where Zoë had written where it was. This part had me in tears, as Echo broke down herself.

As I got closer to the end of the novel the first time around, I was horrified to discover the cause of Zoë’s death, and how much of an issue that still is to this day: human trafficking. It certainly was a topic that not many had spoken or were willing to speak about; but this issue was heavily emphasized in Saving Zoë, and I would say even more so in the movie. During my senior year of high school, the Rotary chapter club I was president of at school worked closely with a non-profit organization that focuses on combating human trafficking, whether its tracking down the exploiters, or providing survivors with jobs and essentials to live a as normal of a life as they possibly can. I’ve heard many stories from survivors, and my heart shatters every time they speak about what they have been through. To this day, I continue to be involved with organizations that work to combat human trafficking, through cyber technology, and providing survivors with employment and education.

The movie itself was so beautifully made, and when Laura mentioned that it was filmed in only a little over two weeks, I was in awe at insanely fast speed and amazing quality of the production process. The cinematography depicted the tone and mood of each scene incredibly well, and the cast couldn’t have told the story better. Evidently, certain parts of the movie aren’t going to follow the book exactly, but the movie definitely exceeded all expectations and so much more. Not only did Echo finding her present from Zoë make me lose it, the ending, the last line of the film:

“So, this is goodbye. You are brave, Zoë. I didn’t know. I’m sorry that I didn’t know you better.”

had me in actual tears. I did not expect this project to inspire and influence me so much, but I’m so glad that it, as well as the wonderful and empowering women who wrote and produced the project, became a part of my life. Saving Zoëis a must read and watch, and I believe that you will love it as much as I did!

The scene that ruined me. Actually wrecked me.

xx, Cindy