American Teen

 American Teen (M)

 Film Review by Jarvis Holt

Image from website: www.obsessedwithfilm.com

Become the next person to be swept away by the engaging and revealing documentary that has received rave reviews from Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton from ‘At the Movies’ and from renowned movie director, Jason Reitman; who rated it as his favourite film at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. 

The concept for American Teen was the brainchild of Nanette Burnstein, an American Film director who sought to produce an insightful non-fiction film about teenagers who were in their last year of high school; what Americans’ call their Senior year. After a lengthy interview process and the review of over 100 schools, Burnstein finally chose to follow the lives of five students who attended a conservative small town community school in Warsaw, Indiana. 

The film opens by introducing us to the incoming seniors and initially it is easy to be sceptic about the five ‘stereotype’ American teenagers selected. However, the depth and complexities of the characters are soon exposed and it isn’t long before you start to care about them. The raw honesty of the teenagers is at times disturbing and heartbreaking while at other times it is funny.

It reminds me a little of The Breakfast Club, the popular teen movie of the ‘80s, only American Teen portrays real people in their everyday environment and this is the key to its appeal. Without revealing too much; what really affected me was the shallow American teenage culture.  Social status is clearly defined by superficial qualities which I have not experienced in my school in country Victoria.

A Short Summary of the Primary Characters:

Hannah Bailey: The “Artsy Outsider.” Hannah does not share the common interests or beliefs held by her community and peers. She aspires to become a filmmaker. Hannah’s out-going, rebellious personality takes a dramatic turn during the film and her vulnerabilities are revealed when her boyfriend of two years dumps her. Her mother’s bi-polar disorder impacts on her own mental health as she loses her self-confidence and desperately clings to the hope of a different destiny.

Colin Clemens: The “Jock.” Colin is the star basketball player for Warsaw. His life is consumed with impressing university talent scouts in order to gain a scholarship. The pressure to “impress” affects his game negatively and his father continually reminds him that he will go into the Army if he can’t get a scholarship. Colin’s anxieties are uncovered through the pressure of his environment.

Megan Krizmanich: The “Princess.”  Megan is a nasty, powerful, self-absorbed cheerleader who is popular in spite of her lack of respect for other people. She is a bully who has a lack of empathy or remorse for her destructive and calculated actions. (You’ll witness first–hand the disturbing affects of cyber-bullying.) Megan is however humanised when her family’s struggles are revealed along with the mounting personal pressure placed on her to gain entry to the University of Notre Dame.

Mitch Reinholt: The “Heart Throb.” We don’t actually meet Mitch until half way through the film; he is good looking, popular and a talented basketball player. His easy-going attitude allows him to start dating an outsider, Hannah. Eventually his social circumstances put strain on the relationship.

Jake Tusing: The “Geek.” Jake is a social introvert who devotes his life to gaming and finding a girlfriend. Jake tries so hard at love and we can’t help but feel compassion for him as he awkwardly goes in search for a girl he can hold onto. Jake seems very aware of his lack of popularity but perseveres in his hopes regardless.

I would encourage all Australians, regardless of age or gender to watch this fascinating documentary and form your own opinions about the characters and the culture in which they live. Do not be put off because it is a documentary; American Teen doesn’t feel at all like a documentary; the scenes flow smoothly. The film is well edited and the characters are thoroughly interesting. In fact it is a little like Michael Apted’s “Up” series, where you want to know what becomes of the five students – where are they now?

No matter who you are, everyone will relate to an aspect of ‘American Teen’.

4½ Stars!