Eighth Grade * * * *

         Here is another fine film that teenagers should see but probably won't.  Like some of the best of teen films - First Girl I loved, The Edge of Seventeen, The Diary of a Teenage Girl,  it's been tucked away for limited showing in the art house cinemas. The funny thing is, if the Multiplex Cinemas did take this on they'd probably find themselves with a winner.
         It's written and directed by Bo Burnham who is a highly regarded stand-up comedian unafraid to tackle some of the more difficult subjects.

Thanks for listening - Gucci!

        It's about a fourteen year old girl, Kayla, and the stuff she is going through.  Each night she updates her vlog, though it is unlikely she has much of a following.  She's not the most popular or the prettiest girl in the school.  Beauty, coolness, self-promotion through gormless Instagram shots are the skills that are valued among her peers and Kayla seems to lack those attributes.
         She doesn't even use her vlog to self-promote herself: she seems to be genuinely interested in having an intelligent vlog where she can  share "life skills" and help people be themselves and become more confident.
         She doesn't have a best friend but she is obsessed with the class pretty-boy.  Outside of school the only person she seems to have to talk to is her Dad and other than the functional words required to live together they barely talk as Kayla lives inside her phone-screen.  But he's a good Dad that cares deeply for her.
        More than a story it's like a period from her life.  Beautifully acted, especially Elsie Fisher as Kayla, its one of  the most intimate and insightful dramas I have seen on the pain and challenges of a young teenager.
         Oh, I should mention, it's also very, very funny.  In fact if you are her age (or thereabouts) you'll probably find it even funnier than me, as I later learnt it makes quite a few contemporary references which went right over my head!