Review of Struck by Lightning (2013) by Madison N — 08 Jan 2013

This movie was witty, quick, and overall a fantastic watch. Few movies bring me to the point of sobbing, but this one did and then some. Allison Janney is fantastic as Carson's alcoholic, prescription-pill addicted mother.

Her anger towards him throughout the film, followed by her reaction to his death, really round her out as a solid character. My personal favorite character in the movie was Christina Hendricks as Carson's father's fiancee.

She portrayed her perfectly, and her anger towards Carson's father was unexpected and well-done. The movie was full of clever one-liners, along with a sturdy plot (even though Carson was sans romance! In fact, he was sans sexuality!) that proves everything in every teen's life doesn't revolve merely around unrequited high school crushes and peer pressure.

The film effectively explores the cliches of the high school universe, but does not try to teach us that they're all good deep down. It does not insult our intelligence by trying to convince viewers that there's something deep behind everyone; the popular people have problems too! That's why they're so mean! Sometimes the students of Clover High are exactly what they seem of the surface; sometimes they have some hidden insecurity.

Overall, this movie is an excellent look into the overachiever's high school career, had they been killed before getting to that final destination.