🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Sean Cisterna
- Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance, Sport
- Release year: 2017
- Runtime (length): 1h 35min
- IMDb rating: 6.7/10 (3.2K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 88% Audience Score
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Teen figure skater who loves singing gets a super-rare sore throat, accidentally makes medical history while trying to keep dating her cute boyfriend and convincing everyone (including herself) to just keep smiling through it all.
🍿 Kiss and Cry: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Meet Carley Allison: A Talented Teenager
Carley Allison is an vibrant 18-year-old with a bright future, excelling both as a promising figure skater and a talented singer. She navigates the typical challenges of adolescence, including budding romance and pursuing her passions on the ice and stage.

A Life-Altering Diagnosis
Carley’s world is turned upside down when she receives a devastating diagnosis: a rare form of sarcoma, a type of cancer that affects only 1 in 3.5 billion people. Specifically, she is diagnosed with throat cancer, which severely impacts her ability to pursue her dreams of skating and singing.

Facing the Battle with Support
With the unwavering support of her family, including her parents May and Mark, and her boyfriend John Servinis, Carley begins her fight against the illness. She faces treatments, surgeries, and the physical toll of the rare disease. Despite the hardships, she strives to maintain a positive outlook.

Finding Strength and Inspiring Others
Even as her health deteriorates and she faces challenges like needing a tracheostomy tube, Carley continues to find ways to engage with her passions and inspire those around her. Her journey becomes a testament to her resilience and determination to live life to the fullest, advocating for her mantra: ‘Always Smile.’

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Carley Allison (Sarah Fisher): The promising figure skater and singer diagnosed with a rare cancer who inspires others with her positive fight.
- John Servinis (Luke Bilyk): Carley’s supportive boyfriend who stays by her side during her fight against cancer.
- May Allison (Chantal Kreviazuk): Carley’s devoted mother who provides unwavering support during her illness.
- Mark Allison (Sergio Di Zio): Carley’s supportive father who is a strong presence for her and the family.
- Riley Allison (Brittany Bristow): Carley’s sister who provides support as part of her close family network.
- Samantha Allison (Julia Tomasone): Carley’s other sister who is a key member of her family’s support system.
- Dr. Klein (Brian Paul): A medical professional involved in Carley’s treatment for her rare form of cancer.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Carley Allison: “Always smile.” – This phrase became Carley’s personal motto throughout her fight with cancer and is a central theme of the film and her legacy.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $1,100,000
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Kiss and Cry Reviews
Personal Review
Wow, this movie hit me right in the feels. I wasn’t prepared for how emotional Carley’s story would be, especially knowing it’s true and seeing clips of the real her at the end. Sarah Fisher playing her best friend felt so authentic; you could feel the love and heartbreak. I cried during several scenes, particularly the haircut campaign – that was incredibly powerful and tear-jerking. It’s not perfect, some parts felt a little cheesy, but the core message and the strength of Carley, her family, and John really stuck with me. The ‘Always Smile’ mantra is something I’ll definitely remember. It makes you appreciate life and the people in it.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of true-story dramas”
- “Viewers who appreciate inspirational and emotional films”
- “Audiences interested in stories about overcoming adversity”
- “Those who enjoy romantic dramas with a serious theme”
- “Fans of figure skating or music-related stories”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Depiction of cancer and medical treatment”
- “Themes of terminal illness and death”
- “Emotional and potentially tear-jerking content”
- “User reviews mention some foul language”
Professional Reviews
- Film Compass: “”Kiss and Cry” tackles a deeply moving true story with earnest intentions. While the lead performance is genuinely touching, capturing the spirit of Carley Allison, the film sometimes struggles with its narrative structure and stylistic choices. The moments of heart shine brightly, offering an emotional, albeit occasionally uneven, viewing experience.
- Indie View Weekly: “Sean Cisterna’s biopic is a heartfelt tribute, elevated by Sarah Fisher’s portrayal of her real-life friend, Carley. The film succeeds in conveying the raw emotion and incredible strength of Carley’s journey. However, certain directorial decisions, particularly the fourth-wall breaks, detract from the immersion. Despite these stumbles, the power of the true story resonates strongly.
Audience Reactions
Many viewers were deeply moved by the true story aspect.: The film’s portrayal of Carley’s courage and positive spirit in the face of adversity is incredibly inspiring. Audiences also praised Sarah Fisher’s performance, made more impactful by her real-life friendship with Carley, and the touching depiction of family and friend support.
Overall Consensus: A genuinely emotional and inspiring true story about strength, love, and resilience, though some viewers found aspects of the filmmaking, like the narration, distracting.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Carley Allison, the subject of the film, and Sarah Fisher, the actress who portrays her, were best friends in real life.”
- “The film was shot in many of Carley Allison’s actual locations, including her home, school, and the hospital she attended.”
🖥️ How to Watch Kiss and Cry?
Based on a true story, ‘Kiss and Cry’ is often available to rent or purchase on digital platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Availability on subscription streaming services may vary by region and time. Check your preferred platform for current options.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Kiss and Cry, you might like these similar films:
- The Fault in Our Stars (2014): A direct comparison featuring a romantic drama about teenagers dealing with serious illness and finding love and meaning in difficult circumstances.
- A Walk to Remember (2002): A popular earlier film with thematic similarities, focusing on a teen romance complicated by serious illness and leading to personal transformation and inspiration.
- Five Feet Apart (2019): A more recent movie that also centers on a young couple navigating a romance while facing life-threatening health issues, requiring them to overcome physical barriers.
- Soul Surfer (2011): Based on a true story, this film shares the theme of a young, talented athlete facing a devastating physical challenge and finding strength, faith, and inspiration to overcome adversity.
- Me Before You (2016): Released around the same time, this is another romantic drama dealing with the complexities of love and life while facing severe illness/disability, exploring themes of living fully despite limitations.
🛒 Kiss and Cry Related Products
- Kiss and Cry DVD/Blu-ray: Own the inspiring true story of Carley Allison. This physical copy allows you to revisit Carley’s journey and share her message of hope.
- “Always Smile” Inspirational Journal/Planner: Inspired by Carley’s motto, this journal or planner provides space for reflection, goals, and positive affirmations. Features subtle design elements referencing figure skating or music.
- Figure Skating Themed Necklace/Charm: A delicate piece of jewelry featuring a figure skate or ice crystal design. A subtle nod to Carley’s passion for skating.
- Book: Inspirational True Stories of Resilience: A compilation of powerful true stories about individuals overcoming incredible challenges, similar in spirit to Carley Allison’s fight.
🎧 Soundtrack
Kiss and Cry features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Yes, ‘Kiss and Cry’ is based on the inspiring true story of Canadian teenager Carley Allison, a figure skater and singer diagnosed with a rare form of sarcoma.
Carley Allison is portrayed by Sarah Fisher. Notably, Sarah Fisher was Carley Allison’s best friend in real life, adding a deeply personal layer to her performance.
Carley Allison was diagnosed with a rare 1-in-3.5 billion type of sarcoma. The film specifies this affected her throat, impacting her ability to sing and leading to other complications.
Yes, ‘Kiss and Cry’ deals with a serious and ultimately tragic subject matter (terminal illness) and is widely described by viewers as a tear-jerker. While it includes moments of joy and romance, its emotional core is about facing a difficult health battle.
The central message of ‘Kiss and Cry’ is often seen as one of resilience, hope, and maintaining a positive attitude (‘Always Smile’) in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. It highlights the importance of family, friendship, and pursuing one’s passions.
The decision to have Carley speak directly to the camera (breaking the fourth wall) was a stylistic choice by the filmmakers. According to those involved, these moments were often based on Carley Allison’s actual writings and words, intended to make her feel more ‘present’ in the film and share her authentic voice.
🔥 Bonus Content
Kiss and Cry – I Loved You Recording Session
Ever wonder how that beautiful song from the movie was made? Get an intimate look at the recording session for ‘I Loved You,’ the track written by the real Carley Allison, and see how it came to life. It’s a really touching peek behind the curtain.
Actress Sarah Fisher explains the inspiration behind her new movie Kiss and Cry
Want to know the amazing story that inspired Kiss and Cry? Hear directly from actress Sarah Fisher and the director about her real-life friendship with Carley Allison and how that powerful connection brought this movie to the screen. It gives you chills knowing the true story behind it.
Sarah Fisher and Riley Allison on CBC News
Get a deeply personal perspective on Carley Allison’s legacy. The actress who plays her and Carley’s real sister sit down to talk about the incredible impact Carley had and what they hope you feel after watching the movie. It’s truly heartwarming to hear from her family.
Kiss and Cry – CBC Toronto
See how Carley Allison’s inspiring story and the movie “Kiss and Cry” were shared on the news! This segment highlights the real-life connection and why her journey resonated so much. It’s cool to see the film getting this kind of recognition.
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