Review of American Teen (2008) by Andrew L — 24 Dec 2008

I would completely re-name this documentary MTV True Life: I Went To High School. Not that it isn't entertaining, but in terms of quality and depth, it's right up there with that show. I think the big problem is that they tried to make this anti-stereotypical movie, but filled it with stereotypes and gave it a really generic focus.

It wasn't memorable and doesn't have a film quality to it. It follows 5 high scholl students through their senior year. As they search for blah blah blah. You could tell that they had no direction as to where this documentary would go or even who they wanted to follow (as I learned in the extras that they followed multiple people who were cut completely from the film).

They just tried to find the most interesting stories. It is entertaining and worth a rental, but it doesn't offer anything. It tries to be a modern Breakfast Club (seriously, there was only one of that movie and no one can ever copy it), and while it does have some surprising moments, nothing much happens.

They caught some good moments on camera though, and I'd be interested in how they did that without getting into trouble. If you liked that type of MTV show, absolutely watch it, but sadly this isn't a like a movie.

OK, but disappointing.