Review of American Teen (2008) by Caleb M — 09 Dec 2010

American Teen wants to be The Breakfast Club for a generation weened on reality TV. As such, it feels like a few choice episodes of a (rather watchable) reality show strung together, but it never feels like much is at stake or any of these kids really have much going for them. After a while, you have to question why someone would vandalize another student's house, or bully someone by circulating a topless picture around the school while a cameraman tapes the entire charade. Are these kids so used to having cameras around them that they feel no hesitation in their actions, or are they just stupid? Also, while director Nanette Burstein does capture these teens in some pretty personal situations and emotional moments, does she have any responsibility under some of the circumstances presented? Who records teens drinking underage, slapping strippers, sexually harassing others and committing crimes without stepping in somehow?

American Teen is never dull, and it's actually quite engrossing, but it never manages to pull off being much more than a 100 minute reality special.