"Gucci!"
I cringed even just typing that. But I'm here today to say a few words about Bo Burnham's new movie, Eighth Grade. I was lucky enough to get into my state's free screening of the film last Wednesday, and I absolutely had a blast (and not only because it was in one of those theaters with the comfy reclining seats).
Eighth Grade is a sort of barely-linear snapshot in the life of Kayla Day, who is on her last week of middle school. The audience gets to follow Kayla as she is thrown into a variety of situations, ranging from awkward to absolutely uncomfortable.
Although it's been several years since I was in eighth grade, I could relate to everything Kayla experiences throughout the film; in fact, despite the fact that the film takes place in present day, with technology and trends that might not have been around during the adolescence of some viewers, the emotions and motivations that drive the film's main character are things that everyone can relate to: embarrassment, longing, isolation, heartbreak; all the growing pains of getting older and learning more about the world and your place in it.
Something I like about the movie is that Kayla's story is left somewhat unresolved. While she does achieve personal growth by the end (standing up for herself to one of the school's "mean girls", for example), the audience doesn't get to see past Kayla's middle school graduation. That sort of leaves it up to us to imagine the kind of girl Kayla will become, and if she will take the lessons and experiences she has gathered throughout the movie and grow from them.
The script for the film is also worth mention. I find it extremely hard to find adolescent characters in film that don't sound like they're acting. Not only is Eighth Grade directed by Burnham, but he's also responsible for the script. As a first time writer/director for the movies, I think he did a fantastic job giving us a glimpse at someone's life that doesn't seem contrived and artificial.
(The actors in the movie, apparently relative unknowns, also give Eighth Grade great heart and substance).
I would say the one drawback for me is that Eighth Grade has dated itself harshly. While middle schoolers today may say "gucci" and "lit", dab, and use Snapchat, past and future middle schoolers might not be able to relate to these features of the film. However, I think that's but a minor mark against the film, as the story itself and emotions projected by the actors and pulled from the audience drive the movie and make it great.
In conclusion: Eighth Grade is a funny, melodramatic, and emotional ride that I think people of all ages will relate to, whether they have Snapchat or not. There are a few moments exploring sexuality that some parents may hesitate to let their children view, but I think A: kids aren't meant to be as precious as our society treats them and B: kids in middle school probably know a lot more about sex and other "taboo" things than the adults in their lives are willing to admit. I heartily disagree with the film's R rating, because I think that younger teens should have the opportunity to see Eighth Grade, but hopefully they can finesse their parents or older siblings into taking them.
Rating: A-
I cringed even just typing that. But I'm here today to say a few words about Bo Burnham's new movie, Eighth Grade. I was lucky enough to get into my state's free screening of the film last Wednesday, and I absolutely had a blast (and not only because it was in one of those theaters with the comfy reclining seats).
Eighth Grade is a sort of barely-linear snapshot in the life of Kayla Day, who is on her last week of middle school. The audience gets to follow Kayla as she is thrown into a variety of situations, ranging from awkward to absolutely uncomfortable.
Although it's been several years since I was in eighth grade, I could relate to everything Kayla experiences throughout the film; in fact, despite the fact that the film takes place in present day, with technology and trends that might not have been around during the adolescence of some viewers, the emotions and motivations that drive the film's main character are things that everyone can relate to: embarrassment, longing, isolation, heartbreak; all the growing pains of getting older and learning more about the world and your place in it.
Something I like about the movie is that Kayla's story is left somewhat unresolved. While she does achieve personal growth by the end (standing up for herself to one of the school's "mean girls", for example), the audience doesn't get to see past Kayla's middle school graduation. That sort of leaves it up to us to imagine the kind of girl Kayla will become, and if she will take the lessons and experiences she has gathered throughout the movie and grow from them.
The script for the film is also worth mention. I find it extremely hard to find adolescent characters in film that don't sound like they're acting. Not only is Eighth Grade directed by Burnham, but he's also responsible for the script. As a first time writer/director for the movies, I think he did a fantastic job giving us a glimpse at someone's life that doesn't seem contrived and artificial.
(The actors in the movie, apparently relative unknowns, also give Eighth Grade great heart and substance).
I would say the one drawback for me is that Eighth Grade has dated itself harshly. While middle schoolers today may say "gucci" and "lit", dab, and use Snapchat, past and future middle schoolers might not be able to relate to these features of the film. However, I think that's but a minor mark against the film, as the story itself and emotions projected by the actors and pulled from the audience drive the movie and make it great.
In conclusion: Eighth Grade is a funny, melodramatic, and emotional ride that I think people of all ages will relate to, whether they have Snapchat or not. There are a few moments exploring sexuality that some parents may hesitate to let their children view, but I think A: kids aren't meant to be as precious as our society treats them and B: kids in middle school probably know a lot more about sex and other "taboo" things than the adults in their lives are willing to admit. I heartily disagree with the film's R rating, because I think that younger teens should have the opportunity to see Eighth Grade, but hopefully they can finesse their parents or older siblings into taking them.
Rating: A-
Comments
Post a Comment