Review: Luke Dodge and Cayla Brady deliver in new vertical drama

Actors Luke Dodge and Cayla Brady deliver in the new vertical drama “Teach Me How to Say Goodbye” on ReelShort. #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos has the scoop.

The synopsis is: Grace (Cayla Brady), a high school princess and Colt (Luke Dodge), her family’s groundskeeper, are deeply in love; however, when Colt learns he has only months to live, he decides he’ll do anything to push her away — to help her let him go.

Admist the misunderstandings and heartbreaks, will Grace find out the truth in time, or will she lose the only boy she’s loved to the cruel fate without having a chance to say goodbye?

Both actors absolutely deliver in this melancholically beautiful new vertical drama “Teach Me How to Say Goodbye.” Their performances are heartfelt, nuanced, and completely captivating from beginning to end.

Luke Dodge brings such quiet emotional depth and vulnerability to his role as the terminal Colt, while Cayla is lovely, thus balancing strength, tenderness, and heartbreak with effortless authenticity.

In many ways, this is the vertical drama counterpart to “A Walk to Remember” (starring Shane West and Mandy Moore) — but in this instance the male lead has cancer — and they both knock it out of the ballpark.

What really makes this vertical drama stand out is the chemistry between them. Every glance, every conversation, and every emotional moment feels genuine, making it impossible not to become invested in their journey. They elevate every scene together, creating a romance that feels raw, believable, and unforgettable.

The Verdict

“Teach Me How to Say Goodbye” is proof that vertical dramas can pack just as much emotional impact as any full-length series. If you are looking for a story that will make you smile, ache, and maybe even shed a few tears, this is one to watch. It ought to be enjoyed for its beauty, rawness, pathos, and simplicity. It garners two thumbs up.