Review of The Myth of the American Sleepover (2011) by Caleb M — 07 Sep 2011

A very realistic, yet, at the same time, sort of wacky look at high school life, which pretty much captures the feeling of romance perfectly. In real relationships (in high school), you're never really sure who you like, and if you are, sometimes your not really sure if they like you or if they're right for you or all that cal. Of course, as realistic in events and honest in feeling as this film is there are some parts that travel into the realm of fantasy, but it pretty much shows what a modern high school life is like - and, apparently, what high school was like in the 80s and 90s. I only recently got out of high school and looking at this film already gives me nostalgic feelings and longing to return to days of better youth, where romance was easier than it seemed, yet so very difficult at the same time. Lessons in this are learned within one night, which in reality takes longer for most people (especially me) and that sort of fell under the realm of fantasy - and also the fact that there was that much drinking going on was a bit unreal (or maybe too real when seeing it from a 3rd person perspective), and if there really is a "Make-out Maze" I sure as hell would love to find it (as long as herpes and/or mono isn't involved). This film is destined to be a cult classic and I hope it becomes even more than that.

Visually this film is beautiful, awesome, weird, and creepy at the same time, mainly because the shots are often very up close and personal or positioned oddly (such as when Claudia, played by Amanda Bauer, is in the basement with Andy, played by Drew Machak, and moves her hand up his body - when you see the film, you may know exactly what I mean). But as weird as the visuals can be, they work very well and are edited together brilliantly.

The acting is so extremely real and I haven't heard of one single performer in this film - and at a Q&A with the director and producer, apparently they literally cast everyone they had read for them (they needed a lot for the parties) and instead of everyone being hot and picture-gorgeous, they looked like the kinds of people you would see in everyday life or in high school. It was just awesome to see this and that alone put me into the film's world.

This film isn't yet widely released and is, I think at least, traveling and being shown at limited theaters, but once it gets a wide IFC release SEE IT. It's extremely well made, well acted, and all that. The story is a familiar one but it's never been touched in this kind of real way.