[yasr_overall_rating]
An introverted teenage girl tries to survive the last week of her disastrous eighth-grade year before leaving to start high school.
“Eighth Grade,” no matter how old you are in this millennial age, immediately sucks you back into your last week of junior high. You feel awkward, weird, and question who you are today, compared to today.
Following the introverted extrovert Kayla Barnes, we get to live out her last week of eighth grade and that gross transition into high school. The first thing you realize is how relatable every action, slang, and reference is. While so many films today tackle issues of the younger generation or young people in general, there is a tendency to stereotype or generalize what being young today is or means. However, “Eighth Grade” finds this authenticity of what being young in this 2000s century truly is like.
While a lot of the side characters may seem like they are stereotypes, they are all directed and portrayed in a way we are familiar with rather than hammer it home that this is what the character is supposed to because the plot said so. We have seen people like this, been friends with, or were those people in school. Kayla interacting with everyone in this world makes us, as an audience, feel like we are a part of this world. Feeling the anger, annoyance, or embarrassment that Kayla goes through. I found myself, as an audience member, really sympathizing with Kayla. Getting to a point where these interactions felt so real that I fully realize I’ve been in her shoes when I was that age. Getting to a point when I was leaving the theater, I had an urge to call old friends from when I was younger to thank them for being my friend both then and now.
Bo Burnham as a first-time director continues his search to portray honesty to his audience, starting from stand-up comedy and now to the big screen. There is a consistency, I see his honest tone and sense of humor make its way into this story. While I don’t think this story is autobiographical in the slightest, there is still honesty from Burnham. From the script to the subtle visuals of an emotion or reaction. I don’t know if this was intentional or not, however, there is a scene where it comes as Burnham’s attempts to make a profound statement. I like to think he was not trying to do this, considering it would be inconsistent in him as an artist. If that’s what is going on though, then I would say that is the one thing for me where the film loses its honesty.
It has now been a few days since I saw this movie and I find myself still impacted by it. Like most art by Burnham, it leaves an impression and something for you to question about yourself. I think that “Eighth Grade” will resonate with most anyone who gives it a chance. There is just this authenticity from both the youth and the adults, which makes “Eighth Grade” stand out from most other coming-of-age stories that depict this awkward transitional period for young people living in a modern digital world. I hope this lands as a hit for the sake of Burnham, he continues to progress his voice through many different mediums. I cannot wait to see what is next for him.
In select theaters Friday, July 27th
