Wonderful performances - a new brat pack is born

Rating: 9/10 (24 February 2013)

I watched this movie the other night on DVD after hearing some positive reviews about it in the media.
First of all let me say that Ezra Miller (the gay half brother and life of the party), delivered an Oscar worthy performance and I am encouraged to watch "We need to talk about Kevin", now as a result.
As for Emma Watson, she is an absolute darling and a complete heart breaker for our poor hero.
I am very pleased with the high school scenes and the lead actor's behavior was very believable.
The soundtrack was superb, but probably wasted on anyone under 35. It sure was a nicer and simpler time when you made mix-tapes for your girlfriend full of love songs or the Smiths, whichever was more miserable at the time. There were no computers, no mobile phones, but still these people managed to lead exciting extra-curricular lives, as we all did back in the day.
My only criticism is the abuse and mental illness all came as a bit of a surprise from a plot perspective. This was glossed over perhaps too much, and rushed through too quickly at the end.
All in all, an excellent and profound picture. The chemistry between half brother and sister, their dance routines and the party sequences in general were just brilliant. I could watch this again soon, it is that good.