Pegged as a vérité Breakfast Club, Nanette Burstein’s peach of a documentary beautifully nails adolescence in all its awkward, jubilant glory. Burstein’s film gets huge mileage in finding the real people beneath the High School stereotypes over the course of a year, following first dates, run-ins with parents, parties, b-ball games and, of course, prom.You’ll end up caring about all these kids (even bitchy Princess Megan), but it’s real-life McLovin Jake and smart rebel Hannah who’ll win your heart. Burstein may have lucked out with her subjects (she actually found a good-looking dude called Mitch Reinholt), but she marshals her material magnificently, shaping a coherent narrative without ever losing the small moments and insights into these basically likable kids.
American Teen Review
A year in the life of five teenagers a jock, a princess, a hunk, a geek and a misfit in their final year at high school in Warsaw, Indiana.
Release Date:
06 Mar 2009
Running Time:
95 minutes
Certificate:
15
Original Title:
American Teen
Despite its flashy approach, American Teen remains emotionally involving because of the lives on show. You will care about these people, even if you suspect the director doesnt.
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