Review of American Teen (2008) by David Ray G — 06 Feb 2010

I hadn't seen a good documentary in some time, so I'm happy this came along. One reason I react more intense in documentaries than I do in movies is because they are actual - for instance, when Megan sent that topless picture of her "friend" to everyone and then called her and made fun of her, I felt like choking her - something I might not have felt doing so intensely in a movie. Hannah was the person I completely adored in this film - the one I sympathized the most with. I liked Mitch too, but he pissed me off right by the end. Colin and Jake were obnoxious in different senses, but I was happy to see them succeed. While Megan, I could have seriously punched in the face.

This was a great documentary, and obviously, quite moving and engaging. I cared for what would happen next and Burnstein's direction was brilliant. I'm very happy to have seen this - it gives you the most perfect insight in the way U.S. high schools work.