I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… American Teen is my favorite film of 2008 so far. Jason Reitman was raving about it at Sundance, and two sold out screenings later, I finally got to see it. I’ve seen the movie twice now, and even skipped out on a movie I really wanted to see at South by Southwest just to see this again. It’s just such a wonderful film.
It’s Fast Times at Ridgemont High meets The Breakfast Club, but non fiction. It’s the first documentary that has true mainstream appeal. It’s a film that anyone who has gone to High School will have no trouble relating to. Remember when a break up was the end of the world? When getting a date to the senior prom meant everthing? This is American Teen. Paramount Vantage has finally released a movie trailer for the film, which can be seen below, and I think it perfectly captures the spirit of the film. Tell me what you think in the comments below.
You can also watch the trailer in High Definition on Yahoo.com. Here are some quotes from the critics:
“If you seek out American Teen looking for an engaging, stylish and surprisingly smart piece of non-fiction entertainment, you’re going to be completely won over.” James Rocchi, Cinematical
“it was often hilarious, even at parts I’m sure I wasn’t support to laugh; it brought out intense emotions, including frustration and sadness; and got me thinking about our society implications more than any other movie in the last few years. This is a brilliant documentary that explores the American high school system in an unforgettable way.” Alex Billington, FirstShowing.net
“American Teen is a documentary that is easy to watch and even easier to fall in love with. The students are real people with whom we can connect, the director’s vision is spot on and her end product caries with it both immense insight and a genuine midwestern charm. To be short: this is one of the best films of the Sundance Film Festival, hands down.” Neil Miller, Film School Rejects
“It would be embarrassing to admit being so emotionally involved with these stories if they were part of a trashy teen-based reality show like “The Hills” or “Laguna Beach.” But “American Teen,” while superficially similar to those shows, is far more respectable. As a documentary, it’s extraordinarily well produced, directed, and edited. It’s also fantastically entertaining, dramatic, and even uplifting, a perfect encapsulation of what it is to be an American teen. Its optimistic final moments will leave you smiling, not just at having seen a great movie, but at having warmly revisited the wonderful world of high school.” Eric D Snider
“For years filmmakers have tried to capture the essence of being in high school and no film has been as successful as the documentary American Teen.” Zack Haddad, Film Threat
American Teen hits theaters on July 25th 2008.
April 11th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
I saw this film at a film festival and fell in love with it. All the characters are so relatable, and the soundtrack also rocks. I hope people go see this movie.
April 11th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Okay, I know I’ll probably get kicked in th nuts, but what the fuck ever.
I dunno, I was beginning to like it until that stupid ass tennis scene that was STRAIGHT OUT OF LAGUNA BEACH OR THE HILLS. That stupid ass set up conversation type shit.
But Peter usually has good taste, so I might give it a twirl.
April 11th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
dan: Thanks for trusting my taste, but even if you don’t trust my taste, please just do a search for other reviews. So far this film is batting 100%. I have not run into anyone who didn’t like this movie. The last screening I attended, the audience actually gave a moment in the film a ovation (i kid you not). Yes, some of it is done Hills-style, but this documentary clearly isn’t The Hills of Laguna Beach. It’s one year of high school squeezed into two hours. There is none of that forced melodrama. There isn’t even any boring moments. I know I’m giving this one the hard sell, but it deserves it.
April 11th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Yea Dan, give it a chance! I won’t deny that the movie is very Hills like… but it’s Hills that is stepping on the TRUE domain of American Teen, NOT the other way around.
Great trailer! Really well cut, really shows what the movie is about. Can’t wait for this to come out! The trailer really reminds me of why it was so damn good!
April 11th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
The pictures and posters made this movie look stupid, but now I want to see it. I grew up in a town not unlike the one shown in the film and getting out was my only goal. I hope they don’t spend too much time on the basketball guy, he seems kind of like a generic dumb jock type.
April 11th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
I grew up in the inner city of Los Angeles.
This movie’s trailer does not seem to be anything near what my last day of high school was at all!
I’m not sure if this is going to be as massively appealing as some “white” folks will think it will be.
April 11th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Great yet another movie about suburban white middle class teenagers. I guess I’ll have to go see that new Keanu cop movie to see anything remotely representing where I come from. Though, I gotta tell you gang banging, tattooed cholos are about as relatable to me as any of the characters in this movie.
I’m sick of this shit. I’m sure it’s a great documentary, but what the fuck?
Where are the Charles Burnett’s of this generation?
I want to see a movie that I can relate to, something that I understand. Not a bunch of sheltered, awkward ,seventeen year olds. Stuff like this only represents a pocket of the world that somehow is the mainstay of American life. The real America is made up of many different colors and cultures. The suburbs is where people go to hide away from the truth about real Americans.
I just don’t get it.
April 11th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
sir jorge: Well Yeah I do think it will be more appealing to those who grew up in the burbs, and yeah, the film is not too racially diverse, but I think the archtypes of the characters and the situations are pretty universal. I have not met one person who hasn’t liked/related to this film so far… and just to add a slight correction, this film is not about the last day of high school, but their last year of high school.
April 11th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
What’s the prospective release date of this film?
Also, can you guys kill the incessant beeping on your main page? Beep. Pause. Beep. Pause. Beep. It’s maddening.
April 11th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Tendrillar, to be fair, there are a lot of fictional and non fictional feature films about inner city schools with racial diversity. This is not the goal of this film. I do think that if you gave this movie a chance you’d love it regardless. The director Nanette Burstein (On The Ropes) chose Warsaw Indiana because it represented the most typical American High School. The point of the film is to begin with the typical, the cliched archetypes, and from there to discover how everything isn’t exactly how you thought it was.
April 11th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
American Teen hits theaters on July 25th 2008.
The beeping advertisement is gone (hopefully), if you see/hear it happen again, e-mail me directly through the contact link in the header (and tell me what ad is making noises). I try to weed these out the best I can, but sometimes a couple get through the cracks.
April 11th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
That last part saved that trailer…. Otherwise It just made me want to puke.
I cant even imagine paying to see that in a theater.
April 11th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Theres a lot of grease on the table now… because I put my face on it.
April 11th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
This movie looks like fun. Is it getting a wide release?
April 11th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
I’m not American … but surely not all American high schools are wholesome right? This is set in a conservative town. What of the inner cities or other schools that aren’t so tame?
April 11th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Comedy GOLD!
April 11th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
I understand that, and I’m not saying I wouldn’t want to watch this film. I guess I just feel like I’ve seen this time and time again. I also understand the intension’s of the film, but still feel kind of jipped at the fact that it in no way resembles something I feel like I know and that other kids like myself know.
I’ll reserve final judgments for when I see the film and discern for myself what it’s really about, by trying to go beyond race and social class. I realize how sometimes things like this happen with media that unintentionally portrays certain characters or groups of people in a way that can be touchy or even possibly offensive.
Kind of like the situation with “Black Zombies” in the new Resident Evil game.
But anyhow, I think my first comment was a knee-jerk reaction, a feeling of being left out. But because I haven’t seen the film yet I’ll keep an open mind.
In the end I think if I really want to see something I can relate to I’ll have to make it myself. Life is after all, subjective, some might say.
Thanks for the reply.
April 11th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
I’m sorry, it looks interesting, but it doesn’t look like a documentary. the multiple camera angles make it seem scripted. Unless you mean “documentary” in the same sense “The Office” is a documentary.
April 11th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Not feeling it White America.
April 11th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I can only relate to this film a little from the looks of it. I didn’t spend my high school days worrying about trivial shit like the prom. I hated high school. I hated all the assholes it contained.
Maybe I just can’t relate because I’m Canadian? I don’t know, but I do know that this film probably won’t be my cup of tea. Where is the drinking, partying and drugs? These high school kids just seem too “wholesome” to me. I guess it’s probably because I grew up in kind of a shithole, where that kind of stuff was common. I spent my high school days wandering the streets painting on walls with spray paint at 2am on a school night and trying not to get jumped, beat up and/or jooked…
April 11th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Trebek,
I think you and I painted the same walls ;)
April 11th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
@ Captain Awesome
Hahaha…Good to see some people shared those experiences with me. It just goes to show that this film doesn’t portray high school for everyone…
April 11th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Teen angst when they’re is nothing to be angst about somehow just doesn’t appeal to me. What the fuck do teens today have to be blue about? My ipod like totally won’t work, and my mom won’t buy me a new one till she gets paid next week…such a drag. I hate this place, no one understands how important I am.
Come on…
If you’re documenting life, where are all the films that the 25-40 audience can relate too? The non-sheltered people of the world? The ones who grew up with VHS and BETA and punk rock, gangs, hip-hop and apathetic society?
This is such self-indulgent trash.
April 11th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
There is drinking, drug consumption, partying. One scene involves a couple kids spray-painting “gay” on the student council president’s house. Another scene involves a girl sending a topless photo of her former friend to the entire school. In my high school I was also sort of an outcast. I wasn’t in the nerd crowd, nor was I with the cool kids. My friends played video games and went to movies. There are two characters that fall into this realm, despite their portrayal in the trailer: Hannah, is the art class kid who doesn’t go to school as much as she should. She is different and doesn’t want to be a townie like everyone else in her conservative town. She wants to move to California and make movies. And the Geek plays Zelda and has a labyrinth poster on his wall, he has his little group of friends and not much more. I think the trailer is a little squeaky clean to attract a more adult audience. This also explains the Breakfast Club poster.
April 11th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Jay: I’m almost tempted to say that I’ll cover your ticket price if you don’t like this movie … that’s how sure I am that you will like it. But if I made that promise to you, I’d have to make it to everyone… and even then, I think I’d have enough money in my pocket to cover the few people who are just in it for the money. If you can’t take my word for it, go search for some reviews. Why not on imdb? Go see what other people are saying about the film. Or better yet, go see the film for yourself. I’m sure with such negative expectations, you’ll end up leaving the theater with a big smile.
April 11th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Perhaps I’ll give it a chance, but just to clarify…When I said I painted on walls with spray paint I didn’t mean scrawling stupid words like “gay” and “fuck” everywhere. That’s not graffiti. That’s just stupid kids. I’m talking about REAL graffiti. I don’t really expect people to understand that…But there is a difference…
April 11th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Well Warsaw IN isn’t too different from where I went to highschool (same state) and I’m afriad if I see this I’ll essentially relive my last year of high school.
April 11th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Yawn.
Why watch this crap when I can just rewatch the Breakfast Club?
Because it’s real? It’s a year’s worth of footage edited down into two hours and we all know how “real” people get when there is a camera following their every movement.
“Oh look at us, we’re stereotypes. But guess what? There’s more to us than meets the eye.”
Talk about a dead horse.
April 11th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Rename: American Crap Movie Teen.
Real? pfffff….. no way.
April 11th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
What are we seeing that we already haven’t seen already?! You relate it to other movies that we’ve seen which are obviously visible, but it’s a documentary. Oooh wow, so you’re telling me what they showed in those old movies was actually REAL?! It does look very tame as well. Maybe this is just a way for filmmakers to get the general public to start watching more documentaries or something. But for some it’s a way to stop.
April 11th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
I’m in the same boat as Trebek and Capt. A. As for the movie I hope they’ll come out with a different trailer because this didn’t get me excited at all. Looks ok though.
April 11th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Thanks Peter. The beeping appears to be dead … for now.
Random insight. I grew up near Warsaw, IN. Live in LA now for two years. The diversity of bigger city life might not be reflected on the surface of this flick, but the diversity of personality, and the accessibility of the characters various journeys will be what makes the film spark.
The characters look endearing and seem to have that potential of being an anybody, where you can replace your face with theirs, if not to feel a deep connection, but simply a broad intense connection.
The midwest is a major chunk of this nation, the diversity differs from state to state, and yes, there are many ‘white suburbs’ … but emotions and experiences can transcend religious affiliations, ethnicities and etc …
It looks to be a worthy DOC to view at least once for a satisfying look at the type of American Life that gets analyzed in works like Twin Peaks and the like.
April 11th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
This looks like something MTV would do. Very reality-TV. Not a very diverse cast. Doesn’t look exceptional at all. Not going to see it.
April 11th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
That’s nothing like the day to day high school dealings of a student… just the stereotypical shit… “the geek” … “the jock” …. why not focus on just random students…. and there seems to be too much “fake” conversations as mentioned above… the whole movie looks like a fiction movie that would air on MTV.
But I could be wrong. I guess I’ll find out once it is released. :-)
April 11th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
I thought the zelda stuff was pretty funny him climbing up for the princess in cg. I can relate i was in marching band as well it was a little different since most the people in band had other stuff going on too.
April 11th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
great. another typical teen movie with an all-white cast!!!! How totally American.
oh wait. it’s a DOCUMENTARY?!?!?!?
lolz.
April 11th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Holy smokes people, where did all of this venom come from for American Teen? Last time I checked this movie has played at two film festivals for a grand total of about 500-800 people. I don’t know if you can really be making such negative remarks without at least seeing the film.
Honestly, take it from people who have seen the film, people with whom you agree (like Peter — you know you read this site because you dig his taste in movies). This film is absolutely a legit winner.
Here is the problem that I see, and it is something that is not uncommon in this little industry of ours — the marketing has mis-sold this film thus far. The Breakfast Club poster was clever, but it was not an accurate representation of what this film is all about. As well, I agree that for the casual onlooker, the trailer has a real MTV/The Hills feel to it. Trust me when I say that the film itself is nothing like that. Underneath the glossy veneer of movie marketing, you will find a film that is relatable, honest and thoroughly entertaining.
And it is not just for the corn-fed kids that populate “white America”, as some in this thread have so eloquently put it. I grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland, and I related to it. I know Pete grew up near Boston, and he felt the same way. Neither of us grew up in the “sticks”. As well, I think the personas that you will see in this movie no matter what setting you put them in. I don’t care if you grew up in the inner city, on the farm, in the suburbs, in the north, south, east, west or on a remote island somewhere, every high school has some sort of class system that includes similar elements. Sure, your “jock” might not have been a star basketball player with a Elvis impersonator dad, but your school had a jock, or something like him.
When it all comes down to it, here is what I’m saying — if you are really stuck in your ways and you are not open to experiencing a well-made film that translates well for anyone, then don’t go see it. You are obviously just too closed minded to get it anyway. For everyone else, even those on the fence, American Teen is worth the risk. I knew a girl who lived by the mantra “don’t knock it until you’ve tried it..” and let me say, she seemed like she always had a lot of fun… And I mean a lot of fun…
…
Wait, where was I? Oh, yeah. Go see American Teen. If you don’t, you have no room to sit here and spew venom about a frickin’ trailer.
/rant
April 11th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
no thanks, but that was a nicely said post.
and again, no thanks. I can easily catch and watch any of those whiney, spoiled, privileged suburban kids for free… in my own area!
April 11th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
@Neil Miller
Well said.
Like I said…I’ll give it a chance. I never said it’s going to be a bad movie, just not my cup of tea.
Also…I know my comments can be a bit abrasive at times, sorry. I should probably try to state my opinions a little nicer. I don’t mean to be so venomous.
April 11th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
@Neil
The.post.itself.asks.our.opinion.of.the.trailer…I.think.that.means.both.good.opinions.
as.well.as.”venomous”.ones….c’mon.dude.
Don’t.get.mad.at.the.world.for.not.agreeing.with.you.
April 11th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
I’m there. Looks great.
April 12th, 2008 at 1:59 am
Wow.
Much to my suprise, I click that and see the small city of Warsaw, Indiana being covered. Just so happens I am from Goshen, a town away. Then I see the people in it and laugh. I played tennis against that kid. Warsaw really is your typical small town.
April 12th, 2008 at 3:07 am
Trebek, you have to realize Neil, Peter, and I are all huge supporters of American Teen - we loved it. It was more than just a teen documentary, we know that because all of us have watched it at least 2 times or more!
We’re coming out here to debate because, as has been said, anyone can say what they want. But we’re trying to rationally explain that their worries about this being another Hills rip-off of boring teen movie are not correct. People can have their opinions, but we want to do our best to tell you that there is a lot more to see in American Teen and we hope you seek that out. This isn’t The Hills - this is not only actually real, but not a glossy MTV hype creation. American Teen is worth your time and money and we will fight until the end when everyone actually goes out and sees this in theaters and determines that for themselves. :)
April 12th, 2008 at 4:33 am
What makes this any different from Made or True life?
April 12th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Yeah just looked like 5 episodes of true life in one. I like true life, but this doesn’t look too special. Maybe the movie will be better but bad trailer if that’s not what the movie is like.
April 12th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Well despite all you fools doubting it, I’ll stick with the very convincing and reassuring posts from the staff. Sure the trailer sent the wrong message, but how many films have you seen that have been marketed wrong, and turned out to be fantastic? I’m going to see it.
April 12th, 2008 at 11:08 am
DG, I could ask you how many times, or how many people you know, have seen a movie on a whim that has horrible advertising, your only glimpse into the movie, but you’ve gone to see it anyway b/c of hearsay or critic reviews? My point being that without good advertising the movie won’t do well for itself. Sure, there are exceptions, but for the most part any product with bad marketing tanks.
April 12th, 2008 at 11:24 am
@ Neil,
Talk about spewing venom!
You asked and answered your own question. Why are we not interested in this movie? Because the trailer makes it look uninteresting. And we were asked what we thought of the trailer. Hence, the comments.
If you don’t for the opinion expressed, fine, but don’t tell folks they can’t say what they think when they are asked for their opinions. This is an open forum: discussion will ensue and opinions will be shared. And please don’t dare criticize our choice to not like something you like by calling folks “close-minded”. That’s just elitist and wrong.
April 12th, 2008 at 11:26 am
I know some of you guys really liked it. But you asked people to watch this trailer, as stating in the title of the article. Some of the posters here weren’t as moved as you were. But if the trailer didn’t grab anyone then that’s sort of the point of a trailer isn’t it?
To be honest, the trailer didn’t do anything for me, almost at all. And while you guys got to see it before some of the posters here. I’m not going to run into a theatre to watch it because you guys liked it. Well because, I’ve never would do that. That or until they release another trailer that somehow changes my mind.
But as it is, this looks like something I wouldn’t even watch on television.
April 12th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Uhm… does anything interesting actually HAPPEN to these kids? The trailer makes it seem like it’s any day in high school life. Does the climactic struggle involve the kids freaking out over who’s driving who to prom?
April 12th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Enriqu: The film is filled with drama. Boyfriends cheating on girlfriends, suspensions from school because of vandalism. One girl sends an unflattering nude photo of her former friend to the entire school. At one part a real fight breaks out. I know this doesn’t sound like much but there is alot more. Imagine if they followed 4 kidds your senior year of high school, each from completely different crowds, and at the end of the year edited all the dramatic moments into a 2 hour story. It’s that but better.
April 12th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
The trailer looks okay, and I normally wouldn’t see this movie, but it seems like all the writers of all the movie websites I read really loved it. And I trust their opinions for the most part. I need to see why this movie is “so good”
April 12th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
@Peter:
“Imagine if they followed 4 kidds your senior year of high school, each from completely different crowds, and at the end of the year edited all the dramatic moments into a 2 hour story. It’s that but better.”
I hope they include that on the poster.
“Its all that but better.” - /film
April 12th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Jonny: LOL maybe someday they’ll troll the comments on /Film for quotes, but I think that day will never come :P
April 12th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
as some have said, this trailer doesn’t really show anything we haven’t seen before. the trailer also seems to unambitiously present its characters as traditional stereotypes and i instinctively don’t support that kind of easy characterization. that all said, i am definitely going to see it, if only to size up the buzz vs. reality. i enjoy a good story as much as the next person and can especially appreciate it in a doc.
April 12th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Typical “White” America
April 12th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
About the most satirical, ethnic, heart warming and youthful I can get this day is Boondocks.
April 12th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
What’s so wrong with a portrayal of “white” America? It exists. It’s a small documentary on a small high school in a small town. Is that not a good enough source for inspiration?
To be considered new and fresh we require a wildly diverse palette? Something simple and straight forward can not possibly have anything to offer?
It’s a slice of old fashioned apple pie to chew on if you have a taste for it … something with broad appeal … if you prefer an extravagant dish, there’s always Step Up 2: The Streets, don’t worry about “wasting” time on this small town DOC.
April 12th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
@Mind Dancer
Nothing’s wrong with “white america”. Have at it man that’s what the people are buying.
I’m not calling anyone out and calling them racist fascists.
It would just be nice to see something not so adherent to traditional stereotypes and roles more often. And I mean that for both sides.
We’re in the era of Obama now whether you want to dig that or not. It would be nice to see a bit more pop culture progress in the 2k.
April 12th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
both sides = ALL sides
April 12th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
I think all the negative reaction to the trailer is based on the fact that it really does look a lot like one of those MTV scripted-but-passed-off-as-reality shows.
However, I did get a positive vibe from the trailer, so I’ll be watching it when it drops. It certainly seems to be a bit more realistic than the forced nature of the MTV shows.
April 12th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
true
April 12th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
How is this any different from the crap on MTV? Oh, because it’s a movie. This is for 16 year old girls, and has no business being on this site.
April 12th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Gabe, its different because it not only was an official selection of the prestigious Sundance film festival but it won the audience award. The movie is directed by an academy award nominated director, and is being praised by movie critics not as a great documentary but instead as a great film. Not to be a dick but American Teen has more business being on this site than your highly ignorant opinion :)
April 12th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
initially, i want to say that this movie does look entertaining and i will probably go see it in theaters.
however, it bothers me when people say that this is NOT the hills or laguna beach because its “real” and “relatable”. frankly, those terms are relative, so what may be real and relatable to one person is not to another. its ridiculous that people place value judgments on the characters in the hills and laguna beach because they can not relate to their experiences. some people in the country do live like that- their lives are glossy and they are wealthy. therefore, i don’t understand the need to call their lives meaningless and the documentaries which chronicle those lives insipid. personally, i can’t relate to “american teen” because i didn’t grow up in small town, white middle america, but like i’ve stated before, i will probably see the movie because its showing something i know nothing about. i never stressed out about making the team or finding a date for prom, or whatever other experience, according to this review, i should be able to relate to having been an american teen. thus, to say that this documentary is better and nothing like the mtv shows because YOU can relate to it is disappointing and rather dumb.
April 12th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
@Steelo
Unfortunately, stereotypes sell. They are a means to an end. Stereotypes are used on the SURFACE to get to something DEEPER. Why? Well, becuase stereotypes are immediately identifiable. The idea is to take a generic plate and expand upon it. One should not discard a stereotypical surface before exploring what is beneath.
A trailer’s function is to appeal to a mass audience and generate buzz. The best way to connect to the most people is to present a generic picture. A broad sell gets people buying tickets.
The utilization of stereotypes has been a tool of artists since Buster Keaton. After the characters are made accessible to a broad audience, it’s what the artist does next that should be judged.
People seem to be whining because these characters do not apply to them directly and uniquely … ‘they are too broad’ etc … but having them broad is the first step … and a first step of a successful trailer … hold back on the lashings until you see what the artist does with their character analysis … don’t judge the surface … explore the deeper theme when the movie is released and then judge the complete package.
April 13th, 2008 at 9:47 am
The Emperor has no clothes.
April 13th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
@Mind Dancer
I’m aware. I suppose I’m getting older and long for common sense.
April 13th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
While you get older, long for clarity, what you just said makes no sense.
April 13th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Hi. I’m a student from the Warsaw High School class of ‘06. In other words, a member of the class that was filmed for American Teen.
Full disclosure: I have not seen this film. With that said, there was a lot of talk that went around the high school that year about the film being largely faked, or at least heavily influenced by the crew: Students forced to do certain things or act a certain way or else they would be dropped from the film, students acting out scenes that weren’t captured the way the filmmakers hoped. I remember hearing that they filmed a scene where Jacob’s girlfriend breaks up with him four times, in four locations, so that they could have more control over how it fit into the final product. I heard about the filmmakers providing alcohol to the students they tailed, and of them encouraging students to vandalize.
I have read several reviews of the film, and most of them seem to feel that the film is both entertaining and inspiring, but also feels prearranged and staged. I plan to see this movie out of curiosity for how they choose to portray things, but I have no expectation that the year shown in the movie will be very similar to my own memories of the same year at the same school with the same people.
April 14th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
it’s seems a good movie
i want to see it now!!
April 15th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Wow, I was in the graduating class after Hannah, Jake, and all them and this is really cool yet awkward to see my hometown going to the big screen. Who would’ve thought…
I’d say it is going to be pretty awesome. They were all interesting people in their own ways. Let’s hope the directors did a good job at portraying what it was like to grow up in warsaw…
April 18th, 2008 at 6:31 am
First of all, the sooner everyone realizes that this movie is NOT about “Warsaw, IN” as a whole and not about ALL teens in America, the better appreciation one will have of it. It is a movie about these particular teens and THEIR trials, tribulations, fears, successes….THEIR lives. Many people will be able to relate to these story lines because many of us have lived through the exact same situations in our own lives. Not everyone will, but I bet the majority will.
And in response to George’s comment about the basketball guy, it sounds like you are a “stereotypical” person who has a “stereotypical” opinion about “jocks” being “dumb”. For your information, the basketball guy is not just another “dumb jock”. He has earned a 3.8 grade point average in college and has made the Dean’s list while playing college basketball. (Oops, I hope I didn’t give anything away…) Yep, he sounds like a “dumb jock” to me! NOT! Sorry, George, I just had to clarify that. I should know…..I am his mother!
April 19th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
I am interested in seeing this movie as this documents where I live… I know most people won’t understand it but to see people where I live on a documentary is something I have never seen. I watch many movies and can’t wait to see this… Yes we are not a radically diverse town but this is a place in Indiana- I love to visit place with more diversity and wish we had more of it but some people are not so accepting of it.. For being a reality TV show junkie I am very interested. There are many archetypes of these people all over. I am sure there will be something in this film that people can relate to who lived in a smaller town. Although most films and reality tv is not really “real” per se this will be probably the closest that most people will see of my town. I really love this town and am glad that others can see life in Warsaw… no matter how “staged” it may seem… if this doesn’t interest you don’t see the movie…
April 20th, 2008 at 8:07 am
If you don’t want to see the movie, don’t see it. Not every movie has to please everyone or set the new standard. It’s called American Teen and there they are.
If you want the real gritty stuff that’s kind of hard for a camera crew.
April 21st, 2008 at 12:37 pm
well i live in this town and this is our real life and we live in a small town called Warsaw, In look it up not that hard we got a chance to show you guys our lives and you bash on us wow your reall cool
April 21st, 2008 at 3:15 pm
@ nick, we’re not bashing you (at least I’m not), I’m just saying this movie doesn’t show me anything different than what most of us experienced in high school.
April 21st, 2008 at 7:15 pm
this was meant to show you the life of a high schooler witch almost ever high school is the same so im sure it wont show much different but to let you the the “jock” is very rich and i have not yet seen it they will not let us see it till it gets closer to the release date but he is very rich his dad is one of the richest in town soo he had money to go to collage just to let that out there and the rebel has had a bf for 4 years now and he was not her real bf witch kinda upset us here how they would lie about it to make it better but
April 21st, 2008 at 7:21 pm
o and to the basketball guys mother sry but you guys have alot of money i think its bullshit how it played off you didnt and he “needed” this scholarship im sure you had some stashed away for him soo dont play that this was very scripted but awesome it happened in my home town ha
April 21st, 2008 at 9:09 pm
I went to this school, I was a Junior when they came and filmed for this terrible movie. Anyone who went to WCHS during the time of this movie can tell you just how fake it really is. They staged fights, they staged dates, they paid for those flowers you see the so called “geek” holding. They try to sell “geek” role by making it seem as if he has never had a GF. He has several Girl friends, he even had one who he dated for several months and then dumped her due to a dare from his friends. He was in no way a loner. This movie also ruined prom for that year.
They staged king and queen and even had to have a re-vote so the couple they were filming, would be the winers. One girl dropped out of this movie because of all the staged fights they wanted her to have with her friends and boy friend. Trust me, Warsaw is a boring school, and a boring town. ANY and ALL drama you see in this movie is completely set up. Lastly, If a camera crew were to follow around the high-school kids in Warsaw, they would be spending the majority of their time either at the kid’s house, or Wal-Mart. Trust me, this movie is complete garbage and a waste of time.
April 21st, 2008 at 9:27 pm
I can’t wait to see this movie! I worked with Hannah, and she is one of the most interesting people I have ever met! She’s goofy, smart and totally out there!
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:15 am
To Nick: Since when do you know our financial situation? The “jock’s” dad is from a large family. He has six brothers and several of them live in Warsaw and are quite successful business men. Yes, his dad used to own a restaurant in Warsaw, but one of his brother’s has owned it since 2000. People who don’t really know them confuse one for another quite often. I think you must be doing the same, because his dad is not one of the richest men in Warsaw. How many rich parents work two jobs to make ends meet? He and I both do. It takes alot to support four children these days. I can say we are not dirt poor, but we don’t fit in the rich category, either. How do you know if we had money put away for college or not? I wish we did, but we didn’t! I can honestly say that is why he had to rely on a scholarship to be able to go to college. That was not scripted or staged. Nick, just be careful what you pass on to other people as to what you think is true.
April 22nd, 2008 at 2:44 pm
um im sry but all warsaw is about is how much money you have to play sports im not the only person who has said this and i no who you guys are and i have a family of 5 and my dad works 3 jobs i think i no wat its like there so dont pull that it was staged every thing about it was i have talked to alot of poeple who have watched it and they said it was bullshit wat they did sry im not tryin to be a dick but i dont like how it played out this is the same hollywood bullshit but w.e im done
June 8th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
I grew up in warsaw indiana. honest to god. went to warsaw community high school, class of 02 went to purdue and am now in grad school. I know a lot of kids in this movie… their families…. their stories… hell, the whole tiny town. I would describe warsaw from my 19 years living there as the galapagos of the midwest. The town seems to breed some of the craziest characters, the oddest cliques, and classic stories…. all while surrounded by hillbillies and corn. (that may be a bit harsh) My lil brother is one year ahead of the “characters” and he told me the plotlines (if you can call them that) are obviously exaggerated, but if they shot for a long enough period of time you would probably get even better ones… personally the movie seems stupid to me but thats because i will always think of those kids as the little mouthy 12 year olds…. prolly not gunna pay 9 bucks to see what i saw for 4 years