I love the career trajectory of Olivia Holt. She is starring in her second film and it is just right for her. Her character is a self centered, driven young woman with her eye on becoming a Supreme Court justice. Enter Bernie, the perfect dupe for her, a quirky loner without a clue. It's teen romance movie magic. Eric Stoltz does a great job of showcasing Skylar Gisando as Bernie without forgetting who the real star is. Too bad it will never reach the audience it deserves.
17 Reviews
high school outsiders
SnoopyStyle15 May 2018
Veronica Krauss (Olivia Holt) is an uptight, overachieving high school student who lives with her divorced mom Janet (Kristin Chenoweth) in Livingston, New Jersey. She is horrified to be ranked second in her class with her chances at Yale diminishing. She appeals to the school board to abandon class ranking and is rejected. Her final option is to get the equally awkward classmate Bernard Flannigan (Skyler Gisondo) elected to the school board. Bernard has been going to the board meetings since his late grandmother sat as a member. He's an orphan living with his grandfather Oswald Flannigan (Bruce Dern).
The plot is a familiar high school outsider rom-com. Both characters are dorky overachieving loners. Skyler fits the role well but Olivia cannot help her pageant beauty looks. She can't escape the cheerleader trope. They fail to even darken and grease up her hair or simply put on a pair of bottle rim glasses. It's telling that she asks, "Who's the prettiest in class?" The question is tinged with a sense of vanity. It would be more poignant if she asks, "Am I pretty?" but that's a given for her. Anybody with eyes can see that she's pretty. Honestly, the boys would have asked her out over the years at school. This is a troubling oversight by actor turned director Eric Stoltz. He's seen enough to know the high school tropes. It's not like this is trying to break out of the genre. Maybe she could be compared to Tracy Flick in Election but Tracy would never ask if she's pretty. They should either pick another actress or deal with her beauty in the script. I do like calling them Virgin-ica and Barf-nard. There is some fun and some charm to the kids. That helps to give this movie some appeal but this is no classic.
The plot is a familiar high school outsider rom-com. Both characters are dorky overachieving loners. Skyler fits the role well but Olivia cannot help her pageant beauty looks. She can't escape the cheerleader trope. They fail to even darken and grease up her hair or simply put on a pair of bottle rim glasses. It's telling that she asks, "Who's the prettiest in class?" The question is tinged with a sense of vanity. It would be more poignant if she asks, "Am I pretty?" but that's a given for her. Anybody with eyes can see that she's pretty. Honestly, the boys would have asked her out over the years at school. This is a troubling oversight by actor turned director Eric Stoltz. He's seen enough to know the high school tropes. It's not like this is trying to break out of the genre. Maybe she could be compared to Tracy Flick in Election but Tracy would never ask if she's pretty. They should either pick another actress or deal with her beauty in the script. I do like calling them Virgin-ica and Barf-nard. There is some fun and some charm to the kids. That helps to give this movie some appeal but this is no classic.
Modern Day American Dream
jacobtaylor-7647927 September 2018
This film reminds me a lot of the Great Gatsby, between its intertwined romantic affair between love and society and the undying thirst for wanting to be at the center of attention.When I first watched this film I thought it was gonna be another spin on a high school rom-com but it turned into much more than that. Both characters have their own agenda but become intertwined when fate comes into play and fall in love.
However, this is not what I got from the movie. When the "Bollywood" students were putting in their input, I saw it as the american people commenting on people who are successful today. They constantly criticize and generate ideas to belittle their achievements or emphasize their failures. But in the end they are jealous because they stood on the sidelines and were just there for commentary. Moreover, this film made me realize that the American Dream is alive but people do not want to see it until its to late because its easier and a stable life to live on the sidelines.
However, this is not what I got from the movie. When the "Bollywood" students were putting in their input, I saw it as the american people commenting on people who are successful today. They constantly criticize and generate ideas to belittle their achievements or emphasize their failures. But in the end they are jealous because they stood on the sidelines and were just there for commentary. Moreover, this film made me realize that the American Dream is alive but people do not want to see it until its to late because its easier and a stable life to live on the sidelines.
A pleasant surprise
burgerman9324 August 2023
This film is not a new concept and didn't have any laugh out loud moments, but I was impressed with the amount of heart and simplicity that director Eric Stoltz could pack in. Every major character had an interesting backstory and underwent remarkable development. The movie was a bit dry at the start, but soon became finessed and balanced.
Kristen Chenoweth and Bruce Dern also played a crucial role as the adult role models for Veronica and Bernie's characters. I also think the movie gave an accurate portrayal of high school students, as opposed to other films that overplay cliques and other social conventions.
It's really a family movie. I think people of any age or demographic can appreciate its themes.
Kristen Chenoweth and Bruce Dern also played a crucial role as the adult role models for Veronica and Bernie's characters. I also think the movie gave an accurate portrayal of high school students, as opposed to other films that overplay cliques and other social conventions.
It's really a family movie. I think people of any age or demographic can appreciate its themes.
a quirky romcom
fandomfatale14 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I was really impressed by this movie. I wasn't expecting much from it when I decided to check it out but was quickly charmed. I was hoping there was a romance between the two leads but couldn't tell for sure from what I had read about it beforehand. (I had been planning to turn it off if it didn't turn out to be a romance.) For those of you who are curious: yes, they do get together. I would call it a romantic comedy (there's the formula fight towards the end) and it's definitely not a typical teen movie even though it takes place in high school. It was very focused and didn't waste a lot of time on filler to pad out the timing, which I appreciated. And the two main characters were very likable and quirky. It was kind of interesting, genre-wise. It had the colorful, upbeat feel of, say, a Disney channel move, but definitely was in more of a PG/PG-13 range. The description says that the actions of the main characters inspire those around them, and it actually was kind of inspiring.
I would watch it again, which is one of the most important things I could say about it. If you've read any of my past reviews, you'll see I mainly like to speak up for movies that have good romances in dubious or obscure packaging or movies with low IMDB scores that I loved. (Or sometimes just when I have the chance to be the first one to review.) But I can honestly say this is one of my favorite movies that I've taken the time to review on here. I was going to just watch a little of it and then take a nap and ended up finishing the whole thing.
I would watch it again, which is one of the most important things I could say about it. If you've read any of my past reviews, you'll see I mainly like to speak up for movies that have good romances in dubious or obscure packaging or movies with low IMDB scores that I loved. (Or sometimes just when I have the chance to be the first one to review.) But I can honestly say this is one of my favorite movies that I've taken the time to review on here. I was going to just watch a little of it and then take a nap and ended up finishing the whole thing.
Typical and Uninteresting
jljames-6583621 September 2018
This movie was definitely in the genre of "white kids wanting to feel left out". To Veronica (Olivia Holt) laughing at the fact at what she referred to as "Bollywood" kids, to the Bernie (I don't remember his name) making comments about foreigners taking over. I wanted to believe in this "new age" movie but the lack of diversity and the depth of feeling like a victim just couldn't do it for me.
Top of Class
Minnesota_Reid13 May 2018
This is a sweet little movie, a nice high school romance. Because it deals with a high schooler and elections, it begs comparison to 'Election', but unlike that movie, this one is neither cynical nor condescending to its characters. Because it's a high school romance, some compare it to the movies of John Hughes, but this one is not as artificial and self-important as those movies.
The acting is solid. The lead boy takes a little getting used to, with an awkward physicality and somewhat stilted speech; but it fits the character and grows on you. The girl is quite good, and looks like a young Diane Lane. There are supporting performances from veterans like Bruce Dern and Kristin Chenowith. There is even a cameo by the director, Eric Stoltz, who started off in teen romances himself once upon a time.
The movie is getting virtually no release here in the heartland. It deserves better, but even if you don't get a chance to see it in a theater, catch it on DVD.
The acting is solid. The lead boy takes a little getting used to, with an awkward physicality and somewhat stilted speech; but it fits the character and grows on you. The girl is quite good, and looks like a young Diane Lane. There are supporting performances from veterans like Bruce Dern and Kristin Chenowith. There is even a cameo by the director, Eric Stoltz, who started off in teen romances himself once upon a time.
The movie is getting virtually no release here in the heartland. It deserves better, but even if you don't get a chance to see it in a theater, catch it on DVD.
bland and blatantly copied
RichieTenenbaumTournament18 September 2023
So basically somebody liked 'Rushmore' and 'Election' and decided the main characters of those should be a couple. Does not help the movie borrows heavily from these (highly superior) works. It does find some original charm in the middle act but then it all crashes into a puddle of mediocrity. Actors and production values were passable I guess, just nothing special. If you like the above mentioned films you might as well want to give this a shot but if you're anything like me you will most likely end up highly annoyed by the blatant copying and Netflix movie level predictability. 3/10 because I'm nice.
On netflix
elviracarter2 October 2018
Okay so I actually made an IMDB to review this movie. It empowered me so to speak..
First I wanna say this is a cute quirky rom-com that's set in a highschool with teen leads but honestly it's so much more than that!! Because through the film you get to understand what it means to make a difference and shows us our selfish side and what meaning we put in our lives. It also felt more real than many other highschool type movies and I love it for that. I'd say this is definitely a favorite movie I've seen recently. At first I didn't know what I got into...but soon you fall in love with the quirky characters and I hope there will be more movies like this to come!
First I wanna say this is a cute quirky rom-com that's set in a highschool with teen leads but honestly it's so much more than that!! Because through the film you get to understand what it means to make a difference and shows us our selfish side and what meaning we put in our lives. It also felt more real than many other highschool type movies and I love it for that. I'd say this is definitely a favorite movie I've seen recently. At first I didn't know what I got into...but soon you fall in love with the quirky characters and I hope there will be more movies like this to come!
High School Romance Made Quirky and Lovable Again
AustinSober18 May 2018
"Class Rank" passionately tells the simple tale of a teen romance with a quirky style that harkens back to the heartfelt high school tales of old rather than resorting to the profane and edgy take often expressed in modern teen dramas.
The film follows two high school students in the small town of Livingston, New Jersey who are both seeking changes in their school system for their own personal benefits. Bernard (Skyler Gisondo) has a unique, progressive view on life and wishes to change all the ways of his small town. On the other end, Veronica (Olivia Holt) wishes to change their school's class ranking requirements so she can be moved up from her second place ranking to number one to better her chances of getting into Yale. Veronica pursues and convinces Bernard to try and run for a seat in the town's school board (as there are no age restrictions) to challenge the system. However, she just can't help but begin taking a more-than-friendly interest in Bernard, no matter how dorky he is.
The narrative of "Class Rank" is not fully original (Every film buff will likely reference "Election" but the comparison is honestly minimal), but it does succeed in telling the story in a manner that is more likable than the average film in the genre. The vision of the film is somewhere between that of Wes Anderson mixed with the John Hughes vibe of the 80s. Be that the PG-13 kind of course. There is indeed something old-fashioned about the film. It is set in modern times for sure, but it never draws a lot of attention to that. It never throws the latest trend in your face and characters rarely even use the almighty cell phone. Bernard relies on the mail service as the key means to send off and receive audiotapes to his long-distance girlfriend in China. Characters ride bicycles, they rely on homemade posters to campaign rather than social media, and there always seems to be somebody making out in the background of any public school scene. (This can't be normal today right? Like EVERY scene!)
What makes the film work above all else is the film's characters. They are all quite likable and full of personality (There is one mark against this point though I will speak on in a moment). The two young leads have great chemistry with each other that results in some "adorkable" moments. The best shout out goes to Skyler Gisondo. He is like a little Spock in many ways, complete dialogue that is written in a very proper fashion (When offered a car ride: "I appreciate the offer, however, I must decline as I have vowed to keep my carbon footprint to a minimum."). In the hands of the wrong actor, this sort of character could lean towards the position of being annoying as opposed to the adorkable quality the filmmakers shot for and luckily hit squarely in the bullseye. Bruce Dern is also a hoot as the boy's grandfather who also has his own romantic subplot that is acceptable, if mostly pointless to the overall story.
As I previously mentioned, there is one character motivation that did border on the unlikable side. Veronica's introduction is not the best. The character's entire motivation to move up from number 2 to number 1 is well...rather selfish. Admittedly, that is the point. The execution just sort of makes you feel like she is way too full of herself. It doesn't help that it is unlikely that being number 2 would really hurt her chances of getting into Yale or that the audience doesn't get a clear breakdown of class ranking. So, it sort of comes across that she just wants to be better than everyone because she feels she has to live up to that standard. It's not that this isn't a BELIEVABLE character as there are plenty of students that obsess with being the best of the best for no other reason than just because. Thankfully, the character quickly improves after the introduction and she grows to see more in life.
The only other flaw I see is that ultimately the actual campaign/election that Bernard and Veronica are fighting for doesn't really have any tension or steaks. The opposition never proves to be much of a threat and they don't even really seem to be doing anything oppressive to the school system beyond just not giving the two leads what they want. I could see this as a small satire on politics itself. Everyone is just jockeying for what they personally want all the while appealing to other people's interests merely to get their vote. Ultimately, the election just serves as the catalyst that draws two people together and allows them to "find" each other along the way. If you are expecting this to really serve as an outcry to teenage rebellion you will be left a little empty.
If you are looking for a sincere, little film that brings the old-school heart back to the teen drama, then you will find "Class Rank" quite satisfying. It's not deep or pretentious. It just tells a simple story in a lovable manner.
Oh yeah, this was shot near my hometown in Alexandria, Louisiana back in 2015 so I probably should speak on that aspect shouldn't I? Well, Alexandria is used well enough as a backdrop and it was fun to point out locations that I and many others may see as mundane being made interesting just because it is now on film. It also leads to some questions of location consistency. The film's opening is a montage of Bernard riding around town on his bike, but the order of locations seems...out of order. First, he is in what seems like the run-down areas west of downtown, then he is in downtown, back in the run-down spot, then on the Pineville side of the river with the big American flag, and then he is suddenly back in downtown. WHERE IS HE GOING?? Perhaps he is visiting different places throughout the day. Of course, I guess the geography doesn't really matter much as the film's setting is supposed to be New Jersey and not Louisiana. Thankfully, the extras in the film don't scream SOUUUUTTTTHHHH!...so everyone else will be none the wiser. All in all, the town is used well enough, but the location is merely a backdrop. Don't' expect an epic wide shot.
The film follows two high school students in the small town of Livingston, New Jersey who are both seeking changes in their school system for their own personal benefits. Bernard (Skyler Gisondo) has a unique, progressive view on life and wishes to change all the ways of his small town. On the other end, Veronica (Olivia Holt) wishes to change their school's class ranking requirements so she can be moved up from her second place ranking to number one to better her chances of getting into Yale. Veronica pursues and convinces Bernard to try and run for a seat in the town's school board (as there are no age restrictions) to challenge the system. However, she just can't help but begin taking a more-than-friendly interest in Bernard, no matter how dorky he is.
The narrative of "Class Rank" is not fully original (Every film buff will likely reference "Election" but the comparison is honestly minimal), but it does succeed in telling the story in a manner that is more likable than the average film in the genre. The vision of the film is somewhere between that of Wes Anderson mixed with the John Hughes vibe of the 80s. Be that the PG-13 kind of course. There is indeed something old-fashioned about the film. It is set in modern times for sure, but it never draws a lot of attention to that. It never throws the latest trend in your face and characters rarely even use the almighty cell phone. Bernard relies on the mail service as the key means to send off and receive audiotapes to his long-distance girlfriend in China. Characters ride bicycles, they rely on homemade posters to campaign rather than social media, and there always seems to be somebody making out in the background of any public school scene. (This can't be normal today right? Like EVERY scene!)
What makes the film work above all else is the film's characters. They are all quite likable and full of personality (There is one mark against this point though I will speak on in a moment). The two young leads have great chemistry with each other that results in some "adorkable" moments. The best shout out goes to Skyler Gisondo. He is like a little Spock in many ways, complete dialogue that is written in a very proper fashion (When offered a car ride: "I appreciate the offer, however, I must decline as I have vowed to keep my carbon footprint to a minimum."). In the hands of the wrong actor, this sort of character could lean towards the position of being annoying as opposed to the adorkable quality the filmmakers shot for and luckily hit squarely in the bullseye. Bruce Dern is also a hoot as the boy's grandfather who also has his own romantic subplot that is acceptable, if mostly pointless to the overall story.
As I previously mentioned, there is one character motivation that did border on the unlikable side. Veronica's introduction is not the best. The character's entire motivation to move up from number 2 to number 1 is well...rather selfish. Admittedly, that is the point. The execution just sort of makes you feel like she is way too full of herself. It doesn't help that it is unlikely that being number 2 would really hurt her chances of getting into Yale or that the audience doesn't get a clear breakdown of class ranking. So, it sort of comes across that she just wants to be better than everyone because she feels she has to live up to that standard. It's not that this isn't a BELIEVABLE character as there are plenty of students that obsess with being the best of the best for no other reason than just because. Thankfully, the character quickly improves after the introduction and she grows to see more in life.
The only other flaw I see is that ultimately the actual campaign/election that Bernard and Veronica are fighting for doesn't really have any tension or steaks. The opposition never proves to be much of a threat and they don't even really seem to be doing anything oppressive to the school system beyond just not giving the two leads what they want. I could see this as a small satire on politics itself. Everyone is just jockeying for what they personally want all the while appealing to other people's interests merely to get their vote. Ultimately, the election just serves as the catalyst that draws two people together and allows them to "find" each other along the way. If you are expecting this to really serve as an outcry to teenage rebellion you will be left a little empty.
If you are looking for a sincere, little film that brings the old-school heart back to the teen drama, then you will find "Class Rank" quite satisfying. It's not deep or pretentious. It just tells a simple story in a lovable manner.
Oh yeah, this was shot near my hometown in Alexandria, Louisiana back in 2015 so I probably should speak on that aspect shouldn't I? Well, Alexandria is used well enough as a backdrop and it was fun to point out locations that I and many others may see as mundane being made interesting just because it is now on film. It also leads to some questions of location consistency. The film's opening is a montage of Bernard riding around town on his bike, but the order of locations seems...out of order. First, he is in what seems like the run-down areas west of downtown, then he is in downtown, back in the run-down spot, then on the Pineville side of the river with the big American flag, and then he is suddenly back in downtown. WHERE IS HE GOING?? Perhaps he is visiting different places throughout the day. Of course, I guess the geography doesn't really matter much as the film's setting is supposed to be New Jersey and not Louisiana. Thankfully, the extras in the film don't scream SOUUUUTTTTHHHH!...so everyone else will be none the wiser. All in all, the town is used well enough, but the location is merely a backdrop. Don't' expect an epic wide shot.
Great movie for teenagers
fahad20202 May 2020
B+ dry comedy date movie
jgreed-4980719 June 2018
I thought this was a good movie. Although teens were used as the main cast, I think this appeals to all ages. The comedy was dry but great to me, witty even. If someone is not into movies or more into an outlandish comedy I don't they would enjoy it. However, if you don't mind paying a little attention to plots and dialogue, or using a little imagination, you will enjoy this delightful movie.
Eric stoltz did an excellent job. I didn't know he directed movies. I look forward to his future films.
Whether you watch with your significant other or on your own it should be entertaining.
Eric stoltz did an excellent job. I didn't know he directed movies. I look forward to his future films.
Whether you watch with your significant other or on your own it should be entertaining.
Different, But Very Enjoyable
nowego13 July 2018
I went into this movie without high expectations and got a nice 100 minutes of entertainment, enough that I went back for seconds and watched it again.
A reviewer described the two leads in this as quirky to which I have to say I totally agree, although the boy is the more quirky of the two. For most of the movie I really liked the girl, then didn't like her, then liked her again. The boy was always likeable from start to finish and he reminded me very much of Napolean Dynamite.
Bruce Dern and Kathleen Chalfant's characters for me were the hit, they stole all the scenes they were in. Bruce Dern still has it, as if he ever lost it, he had my laughing on more than one occasion. I loved his comment about Lithuania near the end of the movie.
Eric Stoltz did a pretty good job directing this movie and I did not even recognise him in the movie first time round.
A movie I would definitely recommend if you like rom coms.
A reviewer described the two leads in this as quirky to which I have to say I totally agree, although the boy is the more quirky of the two. For most of the movie I really liked the girl, then didn't like her, then liked her again. The boy was always likeable from start to finish and he reminded me very much of Napolean Dynamite.
Bruce Dern and Kathleen Chalfant's characters for me were the hit, they stole all the scenes they were in. Bruce Dern still has it, as if he ever lost it, he had my laughing on more than one occasion. I loved his comment about Lithuania near the end of the movie.
Eric Stoltz did a pretty good job directing this movie and I did not even recognise him in the movie first time round.
A movie I would definitely recommend if you like rom coms.
A work of Art
bparker-8570326 September 2018
Charming!
whitneyanngailey1 April 2019
Not Just A Good Film, A GREAT Film!
Jyoti_Mishra26 July 2021
As ever, no spoilers here but the basic premise is of hyper-geeky Bernard (Skyler Gisondo) and over-achiever Veronica (Olivia Holt). She has her eyes set on Yale and higher but this appears stymied when she only achieves a class rank of second, instead of first. Shenanigans then ensue when she realises Bernard may be able to help her if she in turn helps him with his campaign to replace French with Chinese on the school curriculum.
This may all seem very generic and, looking at the bald words, it is. If this were another rites-of-passage movie, many high jinks would line up to be ticked off, all present and correct. But Class Rank doesn't do that. Instead, it does a deep dive into the characters of Veronica and Bernard, one that drags your heart along with it. Even as you laugh at the undeniably funny lines they trade, you know you're not laughing at them in a cruel way. When Bernard asks, "Surely the melting of your dairy products is not more important than the future education of your child?" I giggled but he's actually right. Like most of us geeks, both kids are well aware they're out of step without it being simplified into your classic 'jocks versus geeks' or other high school comedy cliches.
Filling out their world is an ensemble of characters who are equally real even if they get much shorter screen time. No character is under-written or unimportant here. The gentle banter between Bernard's Grandpa (Bruce Dern) and the editor of the local paper (Kathleen Chalfant) is sweet without ever being that special ageist sickly of 'oooh, look, old people holding hands, aww!' Veronica's Mom (Kristin Chenoweth) is similarly un-caricatured and, again, I forgot she was acting... she was just her Mom in a tender and loving way. Then there's Nick Krause's effortless grace as the shop bagger, Mike, watch out for him. I'm not kidding when I say the final scene with him made my eyes sting. Damn this hayfever.
Let me also take this paragraph to congratulate this film on having A GREAT SOUNDTRACK. In this respect, it's the antithesis of most current Hollywood in that there's space and beats and it never intrudes or de-stabilises, it supports and helps tell the story. Y'know, like scores are meant to do. Well done, Brian Byrne. In a cinematic world overflowing with the same overbearing martial beats and monotonous pitchbent braaaaams, his score is a cold glass of water in a bloody desert.
It's the final act of the film that left me stunned enough that I'm writing this review. When the complications happen, Holt and Gisondo are stunning, I was on the edge of my seat. There is such rawness and honesty here that it hurts, built as it is on how we've come to know and love both characters during the film. Nothing is overdone, everything makes emotional sense. It's so rare to see scenes like this in film and even more amazing when you realise the actors were nineteen or twenty when they filmed them. These two played keepy uppy with my heart and I'm a cynical, fat old man. Be forewarned!
Finally, I have to praise writer Benjamin August and director Eric Stoltz for a brilliant story perfectly delivered. This film could have settled with being farcical, it could have been throwaway, it could have been silly. Instead, there is such heart and candour here, about love, friendship about the human condition at every age. As soon as the credits finished, I started writing this review and re-started the film from the beginning. I'm enjoying it even more second time around. Thank you for giving me this wonderful, perfect gem of a film.
It's now one of my favourite films about love. I know I'll be watching it again many times in the future.
This may all seem very generic and, looking at the bald words, it is. If this were another rites-of-passage movie, many high jinks would line up to be ticked off, all present and correct. But Class Rank doesn't do that. Instead, it does a deep dive into the characters of Veronica and Bernard, one that drags your heart along with it. Even as you laugh at the undeniably funny lines they trade, you know you're not laughing at them in a cruel way. When Bernard asks, "Surely the melting of your dairy products is not more important than the future education of your child?" I giggled but he's actually right. Like most of us geeks, both kids are well aware they're out of step without it being simplified into your classic 'jocks versus geeks' or other high school comedy cliches.
Filling out their world is an ensemble of characters who are equally real even if they get much shorter screen time. No character is under-written or unimportant here. The gentle banter between Bernard's Grandpa (Bruce Dern) and the editor of the local paper (Kathleen Chalfant) is sweet without ever being that special ageist sickly of 'oooh, look, old people holding hands, aww!' Veronica's Mom (Kristin Chenoweth) is similarly un-caricatured and, again, I forgot she was acting... she was just her Mom in a tender and loving way. Then there's Nick Krause's effortless grace as the shop bagger, Mike, watch out for him. I'm not kidding when I say the final scene with him made my eyes sting. Damn this hayfever.
Let me also take this paragraph to congratulate this film on having A GREAT SOUNDTRACK. In this respect, it's the antithesis of most current Hollywood in that there's space and beats and it never intrudes or de-stabilises, it supports and helps tell the story. Y'know, like scores are meant to do. Well done, Brian Byrne. In a cinematic world overflowing with the same overbearing martial beats and monotonous pitchbent braaaaams, his score is a cold glass of water in a bloody desert.
It's the final act of the film that left me stunned enough that I'm writing this review. When the complications happen, Holt and Gisondo are stunning, I was on the edge of my seat. There is such rawness and honesty here that it hurts, built as it is on how we've come to know and love both characters during the film. Nothing is overdone, everything makes emotional sense. It's so rare to see scenes like this in film and even more amazing when you realise the actors were nineteen or twenty when they filmed them. These two played keepy uppy with my heart and I'm a cynical, fat old man. Be forewarned!
Finally, I have to praise writer Benjamin August and director Eric Stoltz for a brilliant story perfectly delivered. This film could have settled with being farcical, it could have been throwaway, it could have been silly. Instead, there is such heart and candour here, about love, friendship about the human condition at every age. As soon as the credits finished, I started writing this review and re-started the film from the beginning. I'm enjoying it even more second time around. Thank you for giving me this wonderful, perfect gem of a film.
It's now one of my favourite films about love. I know I'll be watching it again many times in the future.
Class Rank Review
jramirez-6690626 May 2022
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