This is the best film about high school I’ve seen in years. I have to admit, it’s not my absolute favorite genre (I feel like it’s just not that interesting, and has been fully explored), but this film works not by finding an entirely revolutionary angle—–it explores some of the same tropes as other high school based movies—–but by creating core characters that feel so realistic and likable, you can’t help but get involved in their struggles.
What Works: At times, you want to reach through the screen and stop a character from making a bad decision or push a character towards making another, and that wouldn’t happen if you didn’t feel for them (or, if you didn’t realize all the mistakes they’re making as adults, but wouldn’t have known at their age). The lead character——the proverbial wallflower—–will break your heart, in the best possible way. This is a subtle, slow-working movie that ends in a knockout of emotion, beauty, and hope. See it.
What Doesn’t Work: Why nitpick? After months of watching Taken 2s become huge box office hits, why not champion something that won’t make you feel numb after watching it?
What I Would Have Done Differently: Again…why split hairs?