Movie Review: American Teen

Shot in documentary style, director Nanette Burstein (The Kid Stays in the Picture) pulls off a very realistic portrait of life in high school. Here the focus is on that dreaded senior year. Small town Indiana is where we meet the students at Warsaw High. Though set in Indiana this story could (and does) unfold at countless schools around North America and dare I say the world. Peer pressure is a big deal here as is parents rights which are magnified considerably in this largely white, upscale community.

Kids who are different stick out like a sore thumb in Warsaw. On view for us to judge are the typical jock, geek, socialite and rebel. Acted out by real people we truly get into the topsy-turvy life of each of these 17 year olds. Just who you want to root for is open for debate as we see the progress (or lack thereof) of each of these kids who are trying to find themselves in that fishbowl of grade twelve life.

People can change over time but American Teen showcases the ups and downs of these four pupils who have to contend with scores of personal issues. All that bickering and infighting among teens is well displayed as are the outside pressures that affect them.

“Regular” everyday students on view here are the type of people teens and their circle of friends will be able to relate to. Watch the ups and downs star Warsaw Tigers basketball sensation Colin Clemens endures in hopes of winning a scholarship to university. Backstabbers will be hard pressed to compete with the likes of resident vixen Megan Krizmanich, the ultimate social bee who likes winning at all costs. Scenes of her interacting with those snobbish friends and the routine catfights are classics.