I almost feel as though young teenagers should watch this film as a form of social education that derives from coming-of-age films.
Growing up the 1980s and 1990s, in my generation (X) our coming-of-age / high school films which shaped our perspectives were the usual suspects - the Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's, Dazed & Confused, Good Will Hunting all provided insights mixed with good story telling and humour.
This is the first big studio film where the main protagonist is gay, but had broad messaging for everyone about coming out to the world as your authentic self.
Despite the interjections of high school social media (some of which was concerning, but that's the modern world), it did seem that the era approaching 2020 is when high school kids don't seem to care if some of their classmates are gay and provide surprising support.
But the focus is the protagonist coming out and gives an insight into that journey that many young teenagers should be aware of - that it's a personal struggle for the individual in most cases and despite an amazing shift in attitudes, it is difficult for family to adjust in the early days, even if they are open minded.
The big sit down chat between Jennifer Garner and Nick Robinson was superb acting and scripting, and marked a high point that leaves a lasting impression.
It does have the "peachy perfect high school" cast and feel, sort of similar to American Pie I guess, but the character development is intense and the depth is surprising given the initial impressions from the first 2-3 minutes was that we're in for a happy shallow nothing film.
Is great to see that acceptance has really flowed into modern teenage attitudes as reflected in this film.
Very good watch, deserves its high rating here. I would watch it again and teenagers would indeed benefit from the insights and lessons of this movie in the modern era.
Growing up the 1980s and 1990s, in my generation (X) our coming-of-age / high school films which shaped our perspectives were the usual suspects - the Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's, Dazed & Confused, Good Will Hunting all provided insights mixed with good story telling and humour.
This is the first big studio film where the main protagonist is gay, but had broad messaging for everyone about coming out to the world as your authentic self.
Despite the interjections of high school social media (some of which was concerning, but that's the modern world), it did seem that the era approaching 2020 is when high school kids don't seem to care if some of their classmates are gay and provide surprising support.
But the focus is the protagonist coming out and gives an insight into that journey that many young teenagers should be aware of - that it's a personal struggle for the individual in most cases and despite an amazing shift in attitudes, it is difficult for family to adjust in the early days, even if they are open minded.
The big sit down chat between Jennifer Garner and Nick Robinson was superb acting and scripting, and marked a high point that leaves a lasting impression.
It does have the "peachy perfect high school" cast and feel, sort of similar to American Pie I guess, but the character development is intense and the depth is surprising given the initial impressions from the first 2-3 minutes was that we're in for a happy shallow nothing film.
Is great to see that acceptance has really flowed into modern teenage attitudes as reflected in this film.
Very good watch, deserves its high rating here. I would watch it again and teenagers would indeed benefit from the insights and lessons of this movie in the modern era.