topsi91
I liked the movie in general, but something was missing. I think the teacher and the girl were perfect couple honestly. It was love, not just attraction, but the end of the movie was really bad and left me uncompleted. After the middle of the movie passed by, I had the feeling something was missing. Even know it was kinda forbidden love, I wanted to see this love COMPLETELY shown...the end was horrible and kinda ruined the whole movie... I liked the actors a lot and they did a good job, but I needed to see more. I know love like this is forbidden, but come one guys...in movies we want to see something different and more interesting than the reality. So I had high hopes for the movie but I just feel unsatisfied somehow.. It is like I wanted to see that more, but I did not get it at the end. And this sad, open ending it was not good for the whole movie.
Amari-Sali
As you could probably tell based off the films and shows I watch, I have quite a fondness for media about people on the cusp of adulthood. The issues of figuring yourself out, trying to find and understand love, all the while navigating through the ton of responsibilities expected of you. And in many ways, Molly Maxwell has all these issues and gives a slightly alternative way of going about things. For while the movie mostly takes place in a high school for the eccentrics, and has an almost TV pilot appeal, at its heart it is about a young girl trying to discover her passion and explore it with someone.Characters & StoryMolly Maxwell (Lola Tash) is of the many students going to Phoenix Progressive School which seemingly is an alternative school, or simply art school, which seems like the ideal place for any high school eccentric to go. There are no desk, just chairs and couches; the principal seems a bit off his rocker; classes include art therapy, in which you create something and burn it; and you can even make an independent study course. But, with all these options Molly seems a bit lost in the possibilities. That is until she fully sets her sights on English teacher Ben Carter (Charlie Carrick), someone she plan to do an independent study with/ on.Thus beginning a movie in which Molly seems to abandon her friends for the sake of being under her teacher and discovering the mysteries of being with an older guy. One with his own place, who is creative, and seemingly doesn't see her as a child. All the while, he tries to walk the tight rope and allow his mentee to become close, but then she finds a place to wiggle into his heart which leads to the pin being pulled on their hand grenade relationship.PraiseAt the beginning of the movie, I felt like this was some MTV, or even a lighter ABC Family, type show featuring a bunch of unknowns as they navigate through life. You have Molly who seemingly is the only one in her family who hasn't found her niche yet; her odd friends, one being Caitlin (Brooke Palsson), who sort of reminded me of Elizabeth Gilles in Victorious; and Gala (A.K. Shand) who reminded me of Naomi in Skins, post coming out; and with them and the adult cast members you get this really appealing ensemble you can picture spending a few seasons with.Alas, this is but a movie, but as you watch you really do come to find yourself really wanting to see the adventure continue. And while I wasn't the most fond of the whole teen girl and teacher storyline, in the end it didn't make this a bad film. Though I wish an alternative story was chosen.CriticismFor, after watching Pretty Little Liars and witnessing the Aria and Fitz relationship, I am pretty much done with seeing a teen and teacher relationship. Especially because the film doesn't add any new type of spin to the old trope, nor try to make it past it being lustful. And honestly, when the story was obviously going into that direction, it killed a lot of my enthusiasm for it took away my interest in the movie for, well basically it stunts Molly as a character. No longer is she this sort of lost girl trying to find herself amongst this sea of eccentrics. This guy introduces her to photography and in an effort to get more time with him, and keep from being kicked out of school, she gets an independent study. And to me, considering how overbearing her mom seemingly is, and how her dad is available, though often on the phone, it would have been nice if they did anything, anything, besides create an unsustainable romance. But, even with that said, it isn't as horrible as it could have been, though I feel the ending to their relationship was a bit rushed and could have been handled better.Overall: TV ViewingWhen I first started watching this, I felt like this would be a movie to label Worth Seeing, but I must admit that teacher and student relationship really tainted the story for me. Be it because I would like to see a young adult movie in which the complications of love isn't the focus, or just because the aspect of watching a weakly crafted romance between a child and adult just doesn't appeal to me, I cannot say for sure. Either way, I will definitely say this movie is enjoyable, but cannot say it is worth rushing to go find. It starts off with immense potential, but the teacher-student storyline creates a story which lacks passion between the lovers, anything new to bring to the forbidden love affair stories you have surely seen before, and if it wasn't for the writer/ director being a woman, I'd argue the story was created to be used for vicarious living. Which admittedly is odd to say since Molly and Ben don't really do much more than make out.
qz1
What a surprising treat! I had a spontaneous moment today and went to watch this movie at Carlton. Having no idea what the movie is about walking in, I may have been a bit of an outsider to the sold-out screening where people were fighting for a seat and adding chairs all along the aisle. I knew then that I was going to get my money's worth. And sure I did. I was literally stunned by its artistic interpretation of adolescent, alienation, and pure innocent love. The Q&A session was hilarious, and my gosh, Charlie Carrick is gorgeous! A rising star indeed. Go buy the ticket, and I promise you that you won't be disappointed.
Tamara Deverell
A great Indie film that tells a very real story in a touching and unique way. This film deals with student/teacher relationships and everything about growing up and falling in love. Molly Maxwell is just your average precocious teenage girl... sort of. Her world opens up when she becomes just a little too close to a favorite new teacher at the alternative high school that she attends. In order to complete her requirements at school, Molly is forced to pick an extra-curricular elective, she chooses photography and arranges for her adviser to be the young and attractive English teacher. An innocent relationship quickly becomes an uncomfortable and forbidden romance. Actors, Lola Tash and Charlie Carrick, give excellent performances, showing a real chemistry on the screen. Dealing with growing pains of young love, forbidden fruit and awkward side of parenting, Molly takes us on a sexy, loopy, sometimes awkward and often amusing, ride.
