American Teen, 2008
The supposed "documentary" is about the real lives of American teenagers from small town in Indiana. An hour and half full of teen drama - clicks, tears and insecurities. American Teen follows four teenagers in their last year of high school apparently with real problems. But honestly American Teen is really nothing original or even new. As documentaries goes it fails to bring anything exciting or insightful to the overdone premise of teenagers. There is also little purpose to the film, is trying to say that teens have not changed since we were first introduced to them in a James Dean film or is trying to demonstrate what teens are really like? If the latter then it clearly failed. There are moments in American Teen that showed that there is more to these teens than what is usually projected in the mass media, the vulnerability and in to a certain extent the innocence but the director Nanette Burstein gloss over these issues and then rely heavily on pre-existing stereotypes. Why specifically pick the characters of The Jock, Popular Girl, the Geek and the Misfit?? Furthermore it seems that even if these teens don't fit perfectly into these stereotypes they are forced into these stereotypes by constantly labelling them so.
The general viewing of the film wasn't too bad. It was a little clumsy and sometimes the camera was in weird angle but I think it was done so it felt more realistic, usually known as the fly on the wall technique.
I know I just being slamming this doco for being too scripted but it would be unjust if I didn't mention that despite it being a documentary it is still a subjective piece of work and therefore that should to be taken into consideration when watching documentaries (that's not a true depiction of reality). So that being mentioned it further angers me that this film is advertised as some sort of poster child of what teenagers are. It is a story of four teenagers in a small American town not how all teenagers are like. This is a misconceived idea of teenagers can only lead to potential misinformation to the audience. Honestly if Burnstien really wanted to show how teenagers are like wouldn't it be better to interview a bunch of teenagers from different racial, socio-economic status and from different parts of America then can it claim the title of American Teen. Focusing on a predominantly white middle to upper class area of America is no justification of the representation of the teenagers.
As one might have noticed I'm not too keen on this film at all. And I think that have justified my reasons to why I honestly believe you shouldn't really waste your time on watching American Teen at all. But this blog isn't here stop people from watching films (because this is a blog that appreciates all film) or stop people from making their own judgments on the film so if you really like films about teenagers then by all means watch it. But personally I rather watch a John Hughes's film, in particular The Breakfast Club (which I think what American Teen may be based on).
Sorry again for the long absences, there has be some technical problems on my part. And this isn't as long as pervious reviews, sorry again. All comments and criticisms are welcomed.
