Mixed Feelings

Rating: 5/10 (25 October 2006)

Some of this movie is brilliant. Some of it puerile trash. I find it's treatment of the characters to be largely without warmth. They are unlikable with a couple of exceptions, such as the Ricky and Jane characters. This unlikability is unrealistic. Surely, some people are very unsympathetic, but this movie goes out of it's way to take "normal" people and portray them as twisted freaks. For the most part, reality is not this harsh, not this glaring. People live with each other, see their faults, love them or not, but this desolate despair from emotionally stunted jerks that this movie portrays as being the norm, it's almost deliberately dishonest. If that is truly the experience of the people behind this film, I feel sorry for them. It's not that way for most people. Maybe if you are a teenager you experience life that way in your immaturity.
An obvious hatred for what the makers of this film deem to be the morally bankrupt lifestyle of many Americans, overly consumed by the material and appearance. Everything in this world is bad. It only becomes good when they do things that are not only insane, but wholly irresponsible in people that have children that they should be caring for. Sorry, but I don't think it's acceptable to actualize yourself at the expense of your daughter.
Does this happen in suburbia? To be sure. But it disturbs me to see so many people talking about how realistic this movie is, it just simply isn't.
Furthermore, some of the stereotypes, such as Ricky's homophobic marine father who turns out to be gay himself, are embarrassingly trite, pat, and roll your eyes predictable.
Having said that, there are also incredibly moving scenes in this picture. Ricky's description of the beauty of a plastic bag flying about in the wind will stay with me for a long time. It is one of the most lyrical, powerful and lovely moments I have ever seen on film.
Also the ending, where the sometimes repulsive Lester has an epiphany and finally grows up is quite wonderful.
Should you see it? Yes. But don't expect a masterpiece.