Review of That's What I Am (2011) by Adinda A — 13 Sep 2011

I like family movies because they stay simple. There is a story and it is told without complications of inner motivations and complex characters. This can leave a lot to be desired in some movies, but for this movie, it works. I enjoyed it.

The movie takes place in the 60s and follows a student attending his last year of middle school. He is assigned to a team project with the class reject and fears this pairing's effect to his social status. Mr. Simon (Ed Harris), who made the assignment, states the pairing was done because he feels the two will work well together and the student will learn acceptance through completing the assignment. The boy decides to put social status aside and work with his nerdy classmate.

The main story soon branches off to side stories, including a love interest with the most popular girl in the grade. But a big side story involves Mr. Simon coming under fire after he suspends a student for bullying a homely girl. The punished student is livid, and starts spreading the rumor that Mr. Simon is a "homo." His parents get concerned and demand the principal remove Mr. Simon from the staff, threatening they will tell the papers and rally other parents for his removal. Mr. Simon refuses to clarify his sexual preferences stating it has nothing to do with his role and success as the favorite teacher of the school.

The film hints at all the different ways a kid can accept differences, but never really follows through. The story is a little scattered, but the main theme is there. But it is a little easier to get away with these issues being a family movie. Some of the content might concern parents for younger viewers, but I'm sure most preteens are aware of these things already and hear worse language than "homo" at school.

Despite its weaknesses, this movie still moved swiftly and was entertaining. The message isn't strongly delivered, but its well intentioned. Also, the ending left me thinking the message negated itself in accepting perceived defeat, but delving into the reasons would complicate the simple story. As a movie it needed a little more cohesiveness, but as a family flick, it was entertaining enough.