Somehow
comedian/filmmaker Bo Burnham, in his feature film directorial debut,
has managed to put his audience in the shoes of a 13 year-old girl.
It’s equal parts uncomfortable and relatable and is a testament to
the power of great filmmaking. Employing a surprisingly fun visual
style, interesting music choices including an offbeat score, the
contemporary “Eighth Grade” manages to be one of the most
fascinating films of the year about the mundanity of life and the
repugnance of adolescence. Elsie Fisher gives a fearless performance
in the central role of an introverted girl trying to get through the
final days of eighth grade while dealing with her social awkwardness.
The film takes an interesting look at the role of social media and
finds unconventional ways to turn ordinary situations into gripping
drama and uncomfortable comedy.
Kayla (Fisher) is an
average, quiet 14th year old. Though like kids today, they
have to grow up in the presensce of practically being connected to
the internet all day long. As an adult it’s convenient. As a child
enter ting adolescence I’d have to imagine it would horrible. Sure
it’s nice to be able to stick your nose into your phone, play games
and music at the touch of a button but kids can be cruel. Thankfully,
the film doesn’t go the route of “kids are assholes online” and
finds other ways to make clever use of smart devices and social
media. Kayla makes online videos where she gives advice on how to be
confidence and be cool. These short videos sort of set up how Kayla
rarely follows her own advice and puts out a personal she really only
wishes she could have.
So how exactly is a
film about a 13 year-old girl making YouTube videos all that special?
Burnham makes some fascinating, almos avant-garde directorial
choices. The way his camera moves, what it selects to show, etc
really helps to sell that we’re seeing things fom Kayla’s
point-of-view. At several moments in the film the camera dares to
slowly gaze Kayla’s crush Aiden (Luke Prael) and we’re forced to
literally identify with our main character. When Kayla gets invited
to a popular girl’s pool party because the girl’s mother forced
her to, Burbham shoots the sequence as if we’re watching a
thriller. You can literally feel the anxiety and tension. And Anna
Meredith’s synthesized music score is an unconventional knockout
that heightens everything.
The film certainly
isn’t the first film to tell the story of a young person or the
anxieties of growing up, but “Eighth Grade” feels extremely
modern and of its time. Todd Solondz has made several colorful movies
about the terror of adolescence but his films are almost always a bit
wacky. Then there’s something like “Boyhood” which was a
different kind of experiment, and this film isn’t dissimilar,
though “Boyhood” relied too heavily on young actors who felt a
bit amateurish. The performances in “Eighth Grade” are sublime
and realistic. Josh Hamilton, easily the most recognizable person in
the cast, is perfect as Kayla’s awkward single dad who tries
everything to communicate with his quiet daughter.
“Eighth Grade”
will certainly take you back to a certain age. I gather for most
people it’ll most likely bring up BAD memories but the movie has
plenty of humor to help balance the terrors many faced as middle
school ended. Bo Burnham and his leading lady are really great finds
and this will hopefully lead to even more extraordinary work. I’m
truly in awe how everyone involved took such a simple, seemingly
insignificant story, for what I assume was made rather cheaply, look
and feel so innovative. The film doesn’t judge it’s young
characters; they’re people too even if they spend most of their
time “plugged-in.” It’s a truly rewarding experience; “Eighth
Grade” passes with flying colors. GRADE: A
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