The Dark Knight may very well be the best movie of the summer, but right now, my favorite might have to be American Teen, the latest documentary from filmmaker Nanette Burstein. The film follows a handful of seniors from Warsaw, Indiana as they navigate the perils and joys of high school  all while following their dreams for a better life. There’s the dork, the outsider, the jock, the popular girl, and, of course, the dreamboat. It’s all very Breakfast Club, but without the moodiness. In short, it’s awesome.
Like, really awesome.
The film totally captures the essence of high school, from the hours wasted hanging out (and often drinking) in someone’s basement to the awkwardness of school dances to the pressure of college applications. And, of course, it’s all contained in an Oort cloud of petty drama that threatens to destroy these teens’ worlds at any moment. That’s not to say there’s no real substance here: the specters of suicide, manic-depression, and military service linger over many of the storylines. Still, this isn’t a film that weighs the audience down with the plight of America’s youth. It instead celebrates the teenage years, either sending us on a nostalgic journey back or making us happy that it’s over (or both).
Granted, there’s not a whole lot of stunning revelations in the picture, but that’s really okay. What American Teen may lack in social commentary, it more than makes up for in colorful, engaging characters. I loved watching these kids. I could have watched them for two more hours. I could have watched them for five more hours. Honestly, I simply didn’t want the movie to end. Some critics, however, have faulted the film for engaging in “MTV” tactics, complaining that the teens at time seem self-consciously aware of the cameras. However, this is just veiled snobbery at reality TV. Burstein obviously cops many techniques and styles from the genre, making American Teen a bit more akin to The Paper than Hoop Dreams. Still, just because she adopts a newer (dare I say, more current) approach doesn’t mean the documentary is any less legitimate. Besides, all documentaries engage in some sort of subject manipulation, going back to the silent era and Nanook of the North. Why some are suddenly haranguing American Teen for a long accepted practice seems odd to me. Ultimately, while some scenes obviously were affected by the cameras, the emotions and dialogue all feel real, authentic, and compelling. And for a movie that’s been accused of being staged, there’s a stunning number of hilarious (and heartbreaking) scenes that reflect a complete lack of self-awareness (a vicious prank calling incident comes to mind).
But hey, there’s no need to overanalyze this. American Teen is immensely watchable. It’s funny, bittersweet, engaging, and like, totally awesome! If it reaches your local multiplex, definitely try to see it.
For more information, check out the official website here.
TV. Food. Pop Culture.