American Teen
September 16th 2008 22:22
Then, on second reflection, any documentary that proposes to go into small-town America and make a documentary about the social circles of young, anxious teenagers, would have to go to great lengths to avoid drama.
This is small-town America and "American Teen" eviscerates it for us, the audience, who, perhaps, has a hard time believing that this is how the education system works. It's never been a more fortuitous release of a documentary of this sort, as American will shortly go to the polls, voting for the Ivy-educated Barack Obama or war vet John McCain and his VP-nominee, Sarah Palin, with a battle over voters in small towns.
America seems like a confusing place, sometimes, especially here in Australia, where Aussies only have the media to judge our powerful Pacific brother. Australians that I've talked to seem perplexed at the attitudes of American citizens on TV, bickering and squabbling over political issues, screaming at football games. Really, though, we're all the same, everywhere - just with different accents.
Still, high school is such a powerful experience for most people - even as adults, we carry the stigma and stereotypes that were ladled onto us. You must be a jock, or a geek, or a loser, or a punk, the crowds scream, hollering at teenagers to pick an allegiance before someone picks it for you.
"American Teen" is a painful look at that time - this is heavy, emotional filmmaking, capturing these four teens at their best and their worst. We immediately identify with them, realizing that so much of their future was etched into cement in those high school walls.
Burstein was criticized for her film, mainly because it does not really feel like a documentary, drawing suspicion that the film was scripted. It's also wonderfully shot, with excellent lighting and kinetic, frantic editing. Is it real? Who knows - I suspect that Burstein captured most of the film as it happened, but went back to shoot some scenes; the actors have noticeably different skin tone and complexion in different scenes.
Regardless of the authenticity of the film, we, the audience, can immediately recognize "American Teen" as a faithful reproduction of high school. The torment and the uncertainty - striking out with women, afraid to speak up, afraid to fail. Burstein's most admirable achievement is that, though she obviously adores Hannah, the naturally beautiful alternative girl, she highlights the vulnerability and fear in all her characters. Even the popular girl, malicious and selfish, has a moment of weakness where we can sympathize for her loss.
What comes of "American Teen"? Well, mostly, a great thankfulness that we don't have to go to high school again. Yet, walking out after the screening, I felt a great rush of relief and cleanliness, as if I had, momentarily, experienced a flashback, a virtual high school reunion. Even with all the pain, fear and uncertainty - behind all that, we see the faint glimmer of hope as Hannah talks about film school, as Megan talks about getting into Uni, as Colin talks about a basketball scholarship, as Jake talks about getting a girlfriend.
Can you deny them their dreams? Absolutely not - as Schrodinger once put it, until you actually observe an event happen, all possibilities exist. Until these four actually make their choices, they have an infinite spectrum of opportunities to take advantage of, and that seems like the most rewarding thing of all.
I say: Australians should all flock together and see this movie. Powerful, invigorating stuff.
See it for: Hannah, the aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outcast and a loner. In that small, conservative town, she doesn't fit it, with her dark hair, slender frame and radiant, natural beauty. The audience knows, however, that she only needs to leave that small town to find her way - and, thankfully, she does.
*this image is from /Film
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
This is the one with a poster that copies "The Breakfast Club" right?
I Heard some good things from OS about it, may check it out when it comes on DVD
Comment by The wonderful Peter Yang
The wonderful Peter Yang's No.1 blog
The wonderful Peter Yang's Ghost Story Blog
Comment by Always Eighteen
Always Eighteen: Japan Edition
Comment by Jason King
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
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Peter, good memories?
AE, it's just coming to cinemas now in Australia, so you should be able to catch it soon.
Jason, Great movie, eh? I don't miss high school...
Comment by Always Eighteen
Always Eighteen: Japan Edition
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak