The coming of age movie, "That's What I Am", offers us a lot of life lessons from which not only teenagers can learn from but also can be an eye-opener to adult viewers. Directed by Michael Pavone, this film talks about acceptance, courage, and believing in oneself amidst the judgmental society that is encompassing us nowadays.
I can say that yes, it's the same old story where nerds and geeks are labeled losers and by joining their clique, you become a loser yourself. However, typical as the scenario may seem, the film adds some maturity by introducing characters to complement the adolescents' naive behaviors. There's Mr. Simon (Ed Harris), a brilliant teacher who passionately shares his wisdom to his students not only on subject matters but on life values as well. The main character and the narrator of the film, 12-year-old Andy Nichol (Chase Ellison), also struggled with an obssessive-compulsive father who teaches him how to do things specifically such as the proper way of mowing grass or putting glue on his broken airplane toy. Other parents in the story also try to get involved in their children's endeavors.
One of the unforgettable cast in the movie is Stanley aka Big G (Alexander Walters) who is the tallest guy in the campus sporting a thick orange hair and ears too big for his head. Due to his looks, he is being ridiculed and bullied by the other students in school. Despite this, he keeps his cool and stays dignified, not stepping down to the level of his criticizers as much as possible.
It is when Mr. Simon partnered Andy with Big G that the former realized that there is more to this big guy than what meets the eye. At first, Andy was hesitant to work with Big G because he might also be teased by the arrogant kids in their school but he accepted the responsibility and became became friends with him eventually. Big G believed in himself that he even did an acapella during the school's talent show. His bestfriend wouldn't allow him to sing at first because he may be shouted and screamed at but Big G didn't succumb to any discouragement. During his performance, everyone was amazed by his voice even his fearful bestfriend. Big G showed how we must not give others the right to put us down or ruin our self-esteem. You should watch out for the kid who played the drums magnificently.The movie suggests us that if you believe in your heart that you can be a singer then tell yourself, "I am a singer. That's what I am!". If you believe you can be a writer like Andy, then strongly say, "I am a writer. That's what I am!".
This true-to-life based movie also also reflects our fast-changing society. If there are bullies in school, we also have criminals, corrupt government officials, drug syndicates, and terrorists that continue to create war that endangers many innocent lives. However, we also have dreamers in campus who reflect those people in the society who unstoppably reach for their goals in life and become positive models to so many individuals. I really like how Mr. Simon defined peace in a contest that made him won a car. As the students eagerly paid attention to him, he wrote in the blackboard this equation: Human Dignity + Compassion = Peace.
Watch out for the cool outfits of the characters since the plot is set in the 80's where televisions still register black and white images. I admit that the actors' clothes are coming back in today's fashion scene.
This film is an official selection to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2011.
I can say that yes, it's the same old story where nerds and geeks are labeled losers and by joining their clique, you become a loser yourself. However, typical as the scenario may seem, the film adds some maturity by introducing characters to complement the adolescents' naive behaviors. There's Mr. Simon (Ed Harris), a brilliant teacher who passionately shares his wisdom to his students not only on subject matters but on life values as well. The main character and the narrator of the film, 12-year-old Andy Nichol (Chase Ellison), also struggled with an obssessive-compulsive father who teaches him how to do things specifically such as the proper way of mowing grass or putting glue on his broken airplane toy. Other parents in the story also try to get involved in their children's endeavors.
It is when Mr. Simon partnered Andy with Big G that the former realized that there is more to this big guy than what meets the eye. At first, Andy was hesitant to work with Big G because he might also be teased by the arrogant kids in their school but he accepted the responsibility and became became friends with him eventually. Big G believed in himself that he even did an acapella during the school's talent show. His bestfriend wouldn't allow him to sing at first because he may be shouted and screamed at but Big G didn't succumb to any discouragement. During his performance, everyone was amazed by his voice even his fearful bestfriend. Big G showed how we must not give others the right to put us down or ruin our self-esteem. You should watch out for the kid who played the drums magnificently.The movie suggests us that if you believe in your heart that you can be a singer then tell yourself, "I am a singer. That's what I am!". If you believe you can be a writer like Andy, then strongly say, "I am a writer. That's what I am!".
Watch out for the cool outfits of the characters since the plot is set in the 80's where televisions still register black and white images. I admit that the actors' clothes are coming back in today's fashion scene.
This film is an official selection to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2011.
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