Eighth Grade Review
Myla Tosatto
Eighth grade was a long time ago for me. Heck, eighth grade was a long time ago for my child. That doesn’t mean I don’t remember the awkward time that is 8th grade. It’s also, like, so awesome- just like Bo Burnham’s new movie Eighth Grade.
Elsie Fisher is Kayla, the titular eighth grader. She spends her time making You Tube videos, coexisting with her father (Josh Hamilton) and dreaming of making friends. In her videos, she has life figured out. In reality she is a normal, confused teen. Through the bluster, heartbreak, and struggle she starts to figure it out. Like most teens, she is at once wise and childlike. Will she become friends with Kennedy (Catherine Oliviere) and Steph (Nora Mullins)? Will she get Aiden (Luke Prael) to notice her? Will she have a successful high school experience with the likes of Riley (Daniel Zolghadri) and Olivia (Emily Robinson)? Most importantly, will she get the Szechwan Sauce with Gabe (Jake Ryan)? When you go see this delightful little gem, you might find out. Then again, you might not. Middle school and hormones are hard. This movie is not.
Eighth Grade will knock your socks off. Elsie Fisher is just spectacular. I can’t wait to see what she does with the rest of her career. It is rated R, but I think mature eighth graders and up will enjoy it. They will certainly relate. Adults will look back fondly (and with horror?) at this confusing time. Just go see it. Then go buy school supplies (for yourselves, of course). It will be a fun evening.
Eighth Grade is now playing in theaters!
Leave a Reply