Eighth Grade
Starring: Elsie Fisher, Josh Hamilton, Jake Ryan
Directed by: Bo Burnham
Rated: R
Eighth Grade is unarguably the most awkward time in a person's life. You’re stuck between your childhood and teenage years just trying to understand why your friends started being mean to you and why no one loves the Jonas Brothers as much as you. Ok, maybe that was just my experience?
Ask anyone you know what their favorite grade in school was, no one will say Eighth.
In Eighth Grade, Kayla (Elsie Fisher) is stuck in the final weeks of middle school. She's struggling with the usual situations (mean girls, crushes, trying to find good friends.) It's a difficult road to high school, filled with an endless path of awkward situations. Can Kayla make it?
Comedian Bo Burnham directed and wrote Eighth Grade. If you're unfamiliar with his previous work, I'd highly recommend checking out some of his stand up. One of the things I admire about his comedic style is his ability to incorporate serious topics like anxiety and depression into bits. Something may start as a seemingly funny topic, but it quickly turns into a much more honest and deep moment. Burnham continues that method with Eighth Grade. There's the relatable angst of middle school coupled with the difficulty of being a teenage girl. Burnham uses social media throughout the film to provide fascinating social commentary on what it's like for middle schoolers growing up in an age of booming technology. What does it do to their self esteem? Is it harming them more then helping?
Just when it seems that social media is the enemy, Kayla taps into her creative side through a series of Youtube advice videos. Maybe it isn't so bad after all.
Newcomer Elsie Fisher gives a phenomenal performance as Kayla. Her portrayal of the teen is such a realistic depiction of of an 8th grader. Instead of the typical overly glamorized depiction of middle school life, Kayla is much more relatable. She talks, dresses, and acts like a 13-year-old girl. There's a sense of sadness surrounding her character though. She struggles to find the right friend group. No one really knows her true personality. She's not quite sure if things will get better.
The one person who does seem to understand Kayla is her father, Mark (played by Josh Hamilton). The film explores the shifting parent-child dynamic that happens in the teenage years. Even though Kayla gets upset with her dad, he's always supportive and kind to her. Josh Hamilton and Elsie Fisher have several great scenes together.
Bo Burnham's impressive directorial debut, Eighth Grade, is an unflinchingly honest look at middle school life through the eyes of a relatable and well-written lead character. No one wants to relive Eighth Grade, but you should certainly see the film.
My Rating: 9/10