Seems like every summer one small film comes along that really gets it…
Think LADY BIRD—and maybe LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE.
No explosions. No car chases. No CGI.
Just a ton of buzz at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.
So it is with the comedic-drama EIGHTH GRADE which opened in a handful of major markets a couple of weeks back and immediately captivated audiences and critics alike. It also gained a 98% approval rating on the Rotten Tomatoes website. Pretty impressive.
This week the movie platforms out to theaters nationwide!
Realistically EIGHTH GRADE delves into the agonies of middle school.
Those cringe-worthy, embarrassing, awkward moments associated with coming of age.
The story has newcomer Elsie Fisher starring as 13 year old Kayla Day, an 8th grader in her final week in middle school. She lives with her single-parent dad and posts motivational videos on YouTube.
Kayla is awkward in the truest sense of the word as she stumbles her way through the highs—but mainly lows that face her.
The handling of Kayla’s first sexual pressure situation with a high schooler is done in a most genuine, if not resilient way by director Bo Burnham who also wrote the screenplay.
Scott Rudin produced this jewel of a film.
Insecurity meets self confidence in EIGHTH GRADE!
And while the movie certainly doesn’t offer any marquee names, it definitely is in a class all its own.
Mothers and daughters will identify here in a big way.
Come to think of it, so will dads!
It’s the breakout PICTURE of the summer featuring a major breakout PERFORMANCE by Fisher.
It’s all about adolescent self-esteem and being yourself in a protagonistic environment.
IRONY!
Since the film is rated R for “language and some sexual material” its star (15 year old Elsie Fisher) is technically unable to see her own performance on the big screen unless accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Imagine that.
EIGHTH GRADE opens to the impressive grade of: A-
JACK GOES TO THE MOVIES Friday mornings during Kansas City’s Morning News at 9:50 a.m. on 98.1 FM, KMBZ.
