Michael's Movie Grade: B+
Review: A sometimes beautiful, sometimes funny, and sometimes nostalgic portrait of the High School years, that doesn't view a teenager's life through rose-color glasses or through cynicism. The plot can often times seem quite outlandish, however I have the feeling that that was done on propose, but it still might turn off those who want something more believable.
The best thing about this movie is the relationships between the characters. You truly see how much these characters care about each other, and it made me think of all the great friendships that I have had over the years, both past and present. This film captures a place and time in people's lives so beautifully. This feeling of nostalgia, and of our own friendships is where the film really shines and boy does it shine in this movie.
The cast is amazing in this film especially considering their age. They can even bring some likability to some of the more underdeveloped characters.
However this film is not without it's faults, and is far from a perfect movie. Some of the character's seem very underdeveloped, and this film could have been better, had we felt we knew those characters better. These characters have great relationships with the more defined characters, that really add to the movie, but as characters themselves they don't quite work. While much of the humor does work, there are points were it feels forced and immature. Some pee jokes in particular feel more gross than actually funny, but luckily they are quick and don't hurt the film too much. However the transitions from comedy to drama are always well handled.
Overall this film really works though it is not without it's faults. If you can accept outlandish stories, and can overlook it's faults, it is a great movie, that you will probably enjoy as much as I did.
This is amazingly the second feature directed by Jake Schreier. I may have to follow this guy in the future and see what is in store for him.
-Michael J. Ruhland
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