Review of American Teen (2008) by Susan K — 12 Aug 2008

Obviously I was going to love this movie. Aside from texting, nothing has changed since I was in high school. This, somehow, relieved me. I love the drama of high school. I love the awkwardness that makes everyone cute and unattractive at the same time and the general social ineptitude that accompanies trying to act like you're maturing.

There's also something about the deadline structure of high school (coinciding, often, with an 18th birthday) that makes kids think they have to have things - something, anything - figured out by the end of it that puts a strange emotional and premature professional pressure on them.

This film captures all of that well. Also, the animated sequences proved a pleasant surprise - the Notre Dame one especially.