Story

Julie, Kayla and Sam are best friends since they started school. Which should technically make their parents to be friends, as well. Julie is raised by her single mom, Lisa, who has abandonment issues. Kayla has overprotective, macho father, Mitchell. Sam’s father, Hunter, is absent from her life, due to fact that he is divorced from her mom. Day before their prom night, Julie announces to Sam and Kayla that she is set to lose her virginity to her long-time boyfriend on the prom night. Encouraged by her friend’s decision, Kayla also signs up. She doesn’t have a boyfriend, but that’s fine. She is not looking for a magical moment. Sam is reluctant at first but, feeling that she will be missing out, also agrees. So the girls make the pact. Unfortunately, their parents Lisa, Mitchell, and Hunter, find out about their plan. And despite that they should know better, they decide to stop girls from “making worst mistake of their lives”.

Girls (Adlon, Newton, and Viswanathan) are ready to party!

Writing

There is several things that sets apart “Blockers” from other sex comedies. First, it flips the gender of teenagers to be girls. I am sure there are sex comedies with female heroes in it, but not exclusively. Three girls want to take a big step in their lives. Not only they have different priorities than guys would, each of them individually has own reasons for going through with it. Lisa is in love with her boyfriend, they have been together for a while and she believes it is time and moment to take it to next level. She wants it to be magical, with rose petals, candles, and slow dancing. Kayla on the other hand, doesn’t want to wait for that magical moment. She just wants to get it over with and have fun. Sam doesn’t want to have sex. Not because she is not ready, but because she is not even sure if she likes boys at all.

Then there are their parents. The story abandons girls for a while and concentrates on Lisa, Mitchell and Hunter. They also have all different stories. It’s not all about “my girl is having sex” deal, for each of them there is an underlying issue. Lisa is afraid losing the only person in her life – her daughter. She feels betrayed by Julie lying to her about her plans and also doesn’t want for Julie to repeat her mistakes. Mitchell doesn’t want to believe his daughter is turning into an adult. He thinks that he needs to protect her from EVERYTHING. Including herself. Even never-do-well father of Sam, Hunter, who has been absent from most of her life, has a proper reason. He suspects Sam’s doubts about opposite sex and doesn’t want her to make mistake by going against herself.

These backstories add several layers of dimensionality to the whole film. While trying to catch up with girls, three “crazy” parents have to go through series of mishaps, including being kicked in the face, breaking in house, fondling male genitalia (yes, you heard me right), participating in uncomfortable beer “chugging” contest, and also getting electrocuted. Their adventures, often hilarious, sometimes emotional, at times borderline gross, nevertheless offer something new. Laughs are mostly situational, forcing parents to act in opposite of who they are.

Another thing I enjoyed, that there were no bad guys in this film. A new thing, probably something coming from era of Judd Apatow produced films (note that, this film is produced by his two frequent collaborators – authors of “Superbad”, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg). Even the boys, who the parents are trying to prevent the girls having sex with. They are shown to be equally awkward, shy, cool, and not at all creepy. Parents are only fighting against their own prejudice and their own selves.

Directing

One more unique aspect of this “Blockers” is that it was directed by female director, newcomer Kay Cannon. I think it was very wise choice on the part of producers to have woman direct the sex adventures of three girls. Film really needed that female touch. She delivers a solid job, in my opinion. Her pacing is nice for the majority of film. First two thirds of the film are fast, intense and to the point. Towards the last third though, film however started to lose it and never recovered. I understand the emotional aspect of the film to take over the comedy, but it felt a little raw, unpolished. In comparison, “Superbad” also offers an emotional ending with minimum comedy. But in there, the ending, which also lacked comedy, was very well explored and never felt out of touch with the rest of the film.

Parents (Cena, Mann, and Barinholtz) discover the sex pact!

Acting

Casting of “Blockers” is perfect, as the screen chemistry of literally both parents and girls is phenomenal. John Cena constantly steals the show as over-protective Mitchell. He is macho man, who also has a very emotional side. This contrast makes him so fun to watch. The way he looks and acts reminds me of comedy works of Schwarzenegger. Leslie Mann, as Lisa, is as usual funny and brilliant, but in my opinion she was a little typecast. A little bit more quirkiness to her character I think would have helped. Ike Barinholtz looks a little out of space in the beginning with his creepy character. However, as film progresses he grows on you. Girls are Kathryn Newton (Julie), Geraldine Viswanathan (Kayla) and Gideon Adlon (Sam). All three of them are amazing casting choice. They look and feel innocent, at the same time ready to move on to grown-up life. Kathryn is cute and determined, Geraldine is strong and independent, and Sam is reluctant and confused. All three deliver to the point performance.

Summary

“Blockers” is able to provide something that most genre films are missing – heart and soul. Film is funny and at the same time has very well defined characters and storylines. Unfortunately film started to lose it’s pace and magic towards the end, though, but still “Blockers” is one the best teen sex comedy of our decade.

The post Blockers appeared first on Kino-AZ.

Story

Simon a regular 17 year old kid. He has loving parents and adorable little sister. He is in his senior year in high school. Every morning he picks up his friends – Leah, Nick and Abby, to school. On the way they order coffees, listen to pop music, dream of big life. Everything is good for Simon. Except he has a big secret. He is gay. And he hasn’t told a single soul about that. Instead day in and day out he has to pretend he likes girls, hide his lusty looks at sexy gardener and pretend his is huge macho for his dad. And then, one day, anonymous guy who goes just by a nickname “Blue”, puts a post online on school internet forum admitting he is gay and writing about his struggles as a gay teenager. Excited Simon reaches out to him, under pseudonym “Jacques” and soon they become very close online. So close that Simon realizes he is in love with Blue.

Simon (Robinson) is wandering if that boy he is looking at is “Blue”

Writing

“Everyone deserves a love story,” says Simon and film concentrates on that. Despite me never going through personal experience like that, Simon feels very relatable character. Through Blue and his support Simon learns to accept himself for who he is. Or rather to accept others accepting who he is. For a first half of the movie Simon is under a huge stress. “For last 4 years, you have been holding your breathe,” one of closest persons to Simon says, and that is exactly what we see on screen. I like how the writers were able to show Simon’s emotions and struggle he goes through as he moves from status quo to complete his story arc. I was rooting for Simon.

There is several things I didn’t like about writing. Firstly, second part of the film deals with Simon’s outing and it is not written as good as first half. Simon does pretty weird choices through the movie, that in my opinion make no sense both logically and from character’s motivation standpoint. Without spoilers, Simon has to choose to break his moral code for his own gain and he does so. And although film tries to explain his choices as being done under pressure or “I didn’t have other choice” cliche, I felt it was not something happy, goofy, shy, romantic, likable, smart and positive character like Simon would have ever done.

Forget him, Leah (Langford), Simon (Robinson) is gay!

Second, if you strip down ALL the homosexual context, this film is just another mediocre, boring, cheesy, cliche teenage romance film. And it that perspective it is not even a good one! Just close your eyes and imagine Simon is looking for a girl, not boy, and you will understand that you have seen it before. “The Fault in Our Stars”, “10 Things I Hate About You”. “Easy A”, “Juno”, “Never Been Kissed”, “High School Musical” – this list is endless. And in that perspective you will understand that film lacks big punch, a big resolution.

Directing

Half of the film is done through narration and, to be completely honest, it was starting to drag me down. Why couldn’t director Greg Berlanti use visual exposition, I have no clue. Especially, I think, with some effort director could have reduced voiceover by 90%. I understand, film deals with Simon’s emotions and you had to resolve to narration, but why not give it another perspective? Like, “Easy A,” for example. Main character Olive also narrates that film, but she is telling the story to a webcam and we are watching the stream. And though there is more narration in that film, it never bores you down, because it IS a part of the narrative itself.

Film is also missing comedy elements characteristic for this genre. I think director missed big opportunity here to introduce some quirkiness and a lighter tone by doing so. Also I really wished the identity of Blue has been hidden. It shouldn’t matter to ANYONE, even Simon, who he is. It should just mattered that he made Simon learn, understand and accept. And be happy.

Nick (Robinson) and his crew ready for Halloween party!

Acting

Finding a proper actor to play Simon was crucial. He should have been likable, shy and believable. Nick Robinson is able to fill all of these check-boxes. He delivers a heartfelt performance, which is what drives this film. Supporting cast of students were acceptable, but otherwise not worthy of mentioning. Simon’s parents are Josh Duhamel and Jennifer Garner, and I felt that both of them did a weak job. That’s hardly their fault, they are written that way. There are here to fill the compulsory “understanding parent” niche and nothing more. They felt highly underutilized.

Summary

Film goes big length showing normalcy and acceptance of who you really are, no matter who you are. With likable main hero and his quest to get love story he deserves, “Love, Simon” is enjoyable. However, when stripped down to basics, film is a very mediocre romance film, that you probably would not even watch.

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