Jason KingAmerican Teen ($13-)
November 16th 2008 06:46
Category: No Category
American Teen ($13-)
American Teen will take you back to high school and either make you want to cry or pump the air in nostalgic triumph, in that you survived or kicked ass. This is an extremely well done docu-drama directed by Nanette Burstein (The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002), "Say It Loud: A Celebration of Black Music in America" (2001) TV mini-series & On the Ropes (1999) ) brought ot us by the funky folk at A&E Indie films and picked up for release by the uber cool flm company Paramount.
It is a very stereotypical look at the cliques of American (and pretty much worldwide) teenagers in high school viewing their progress for their enitire senior year. What group did you fit into?
Hannah Bailey - the "loner." Hannah is an artist, musician and wannabe filmmaker whose liberal views are not a good fit for the conservative smalltown culture of Warsaw. Early in the year, her long-time boyfriend breaks her heart, causing her to miss weeks of school while she recovers from the heartbreak, and later, while she deals with possible embarrassment at school for missing so many days. She dates Mitch for a while during the year, but their relationship causes friction with his clique of friends, and he breaks up with her. At the year's end, she heads to San Francisco to live (and eventually go to college). In the film's credits, it's revealed she left the west coast for New York City to study filmmaking.
Jake Tusing - the "nerd" or "gamer." Jake is an introverted student whose hobbies are the marching band and video games. He longs to find and keep a girlfriend, and much of his storyline revolves around his dating life.
Colin Clemens - the "jock." Colin is a well liked, humorous student whose primary focus during the year is athletics. As the star basketball player for Warsaw, he realizes the year is a make-or-break opportunity to impress scouts and get a scholarship. To not get a scholarship will likely mean enrolling in the military - something his father constantly brings up through the film.
Megan Krizmanich - the "queen bee" or "princess." Megan is a popular student in many ways. She is academically talented, popular, and involved in many extracurricular activities. Her ultimate goal is to get into the University of Notre Dame, something that many of her family members have done before her. She is, at times, manipulative and mean, and is considered to be the film's "villain", although she is also humanized by the portrayal of her own social and emotional struggles.
Mitch Reinholt - the "heartthrob." Mitch is popular at school because of his easygoing ways, his good looks, and his sports talent (he's a teammate of Colin's). He is the least featured of the five primary students, and is even left off some versions of the film's movie poster. Mitch features prominently into the story when he starts dating Hannah.
There has been much controversy in regards to this film in that alot of people believe it was scripted, it is too real looking and how did they manage to get the footage at the right time. Well, it came down to one full year of being with these kids nearly 24/7. I spoke to one of the people at Paramount's PR company who states that there is only one scene that was "re-shot". The break-up text message scene. Apparently Hannah deleted the message so they re-shot it and that was it. The amount of footage taken in its entirity is astounding and the director needs more credit. One thing that I found totally mind blowing was how these kids are so different and so totally fucked up in their own worlds. And the amount of pressure placed on US teens to either make something of their lives in high-school so they can either go to college or gain a sporting scholarship is "in no better description" totally fucked up - basically either make something of yourself in high-school or get a low paying income for life. Hannah even has her family telling her not to set her goals too high because nothing will come of her life. Thanks for support family!!!
These kids are so much more complex than their school station and image let on. I basically hated Megan hands down - I wanted to stab her in the eye with a blunt spoon, but then I got to meet her parents and the pressures she was under and I sympathised with her.
I give total kudos to the geek Jake Tusing. This guy has some of the funniest one liners and he knew when the cameras were there and took total advantage of them. He had me crying with laughter when making a fool of himself. Another thing that surprised me is that the two girls from total polar opposites of the world, have become great friends while touring to promote the film and this gives me hope that the bigget deadshits can grow up and bloom when out of the closeted world of some families.
This film previewed this weekend and unfortunately will be releasing smack bang in the middle of Quantum of Solace and Australia. If you want an alternate film that will bring you back to earth or want to wait to see the blockbusters after the queues have died down then buy a ticket to this one. Well worth it and different from the norm. Worth $13-
American Teen will take you back to high school and either make you want to cry or pump the air in nostalgic triumph, in that you survived or kicked ass. This is an extremely well done docu-drama directed by Nanette Burstein (The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002), "Say It Loud: A Celebration of Black Music in America" (2001) TV mini-series & On the Ropes (1999) ) brought ot us by the funky folk at A&E Indie films and picked up for release by the uber cool flm company Paramount.
It is a very stereotypical look at the cliques of American (and pretty much worldwide) teenagers in high school viewing their progress for their enitire senior year. What group did you fit into?
Hannah Bailey - the "loner." Hannah is an artist, musician and wannabe filmmaker whose liberal views are not a good fit for the conservative smalltown culture of Warsaw. Early in the year, her long-time boyfriend breaks her heart, causing her to miss weeks of school while she recovers from the heartbreak, and later, while she deals with possible embarrassment at school for missing so many days. She dates Mitch for a while during the year, but their relationship causes friction with his clique of friends, and he breaks up with her. At the year's end, she heads to San Francisco to live (and eventually go to college). In the film's credits, it's revealed she left the west coast for New York City to study filmmaking.
Jake Tusing - the "nerd" or "gamer." Jake is an introverted student whose hobbies are the marching band and video games. He longs to find and keep a girlfriend, and much of his storyline revolves around his dating life.
Colin Clemens - the "jock." Colin is a well liked, humorous student whose primary focus during the year is athletics. As the star basketball player for Warsaw, he realizes the year is a make-or-break opportunity to impress scouts and get a scholarship. To not get a scholarship will likely mean enrolling in the military - something his father constantly brings up through the film.
Megan Krizmanich - the "queen bee" or "princess." Megan is a popular student in many ways. She is academically talented, popular, and involved in many extracurricular activities. Her ultimate goal is to get into the University of Notre Dame, something that many of her family members have done before her. She is, at times, manipulative and mean, and is considered to be the film's "villain", although she is also humanized by the portrayal of her own social and emotional struggles.
Mitch Reinholt - the "heartthrob." Mitch is popular at school because of his easygoing ways, his good looks, and his sports talent (he's a teammate of Colin's). He is the least featured of the five primary students, and is even left off some versions of the film's movie poster. Mitch features prominently into the story when he starts dating Hannah.
There has been much controversy in regards to this film in that alot of people believe it was scripted, it is too real looking and how did they manage to get the footage at the right time. Well, it came down to one full year of being with these kids nearly 24/7. I spoke to one of the people at Paramount's PR company who states that there is only one scene that was "re-shot". The break-up text message scene. Apparently Hannah deleted the message so they re-shot it and that was it. The amount of footage taken in its entirity is astounding and the director needs more credit. One thing that I found totally mind blowing was how these kids are so different and so totally fucked up in their own worlds. And the amount of pressure placed on US teens to either make something of their lives in high-school so they can either go to college or gain a sporting scholarship is "in no better description" totally fucked up - basically either make something of yourself in high-school or get a low paying income for life. Hannah even has her family telling her not to set her goals too high because nothing will come of her life. Thanks for support family!!!
These kids are so much more complex than their school station and image let on. I basically hated Megan hands down - I wanted to stab her in the eye with a blunt spoon, but then I got to meet her parents and the pressures she was under and I sympathised with her.
And it’s truly notable how fucked up all of these kids are, and not in the scare-tactic, drugs-and-sex way that teenagers are typically portrayed on the big and small screen. No, these kids are fucked up in the way that high school students have been fucked up for decades: Empowered by years of being told they’re special and can accomplish anything, they feel ready to take on the world. They’re experiencing romantic love, they’re driven, and they’re extremely aware of the world around them. But at the same time, they’re emotionally retarded and astonishingly naive.
I give total kudos to the geek Jake Tusing. This guy has some of the funniest one liners and he knew when the cameras were there and took total advantage of them. He had me crying with laughter when making a fool of himself. Another thing that surprised me is that the two girls from total polar opposites of the world, have become great friends while touring to promote the film and this gives me hope that the bigget deadshits can grow up and bloom when out of the closeted world of some families.
This film previewed this weekend and unfortunately will be releasing smack bang in the middle of Quantum of Solace and Australia. If you want an alternate film that will bring you back to earth or want to wait to see the blockbusters after the queues have died down then buy a ticket to this one. Well worth it and different from the norm. Worth $13-
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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Thanks for commenting Morgan - my computer has been very sick and have not been on for ages. Hope all is well!
Comment by Morgan Bell
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im planning my chrissy hols . . . do you stay in syd over xmas, or do you visut family out of town?
we might have to catch up for a shandy!
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Comment by Jason King
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t was strange in that I didn't care too much for them because they were all cool and losers at the same time but I was totally enthralled by their lives and was actually a bit sad when the film ended. It would be good if they did a 7 Up version and went back to visit these kids when they were a bit older to see what came of them.
I reckon Hannah will become a big time Hollywood movie maker, Jake will become totally hot and a chick magnet and the rest of them will work in Walmart. LOL