Kids in America
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJosh Stolberg
Written by
  • Josh Stolberg
  • Andrew Shaifer
Produced byAndrew Shaifer
Starring
CinematographyGuy Livneh
Edited byTracy Curtis
Music byBC Smith
Distributed byScreen Media Films
Rainstorm Entertainment
Launchpad Releasing
Slowhand Cinema
Release date
  • October 21, 2005 (2005-10-21)
Running time
91 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$750,000
Box office$537,667

Kids in America is a 2005 American comedy film written and directed by Josh Stolberg. The film is inspired by real events.

Plot

Inspired by real events,[1] Kids In America is a comedy about a diverse group of high school students who band together to peacefully stand for their personal rights and dignity. Holden Donovan and his love interest, Charlotte Pratt, are fed up with Principal Donna Weller, who goes to great lengths to stop the students from enjoying their right to free expression, such as suspending Monica Rose for wearing condoms on her outfit to promote safe sex during Spirit Week and suspending Lawrence Reitzer for kissing another guy in the hallway. Meanwhile, she's running for State School Superintendent, which, if elected, will afford her the power to practice her brand of administration beyond Booker High School. Holden himself is suspended and ultimately expelled for speaking out publicly against Weller, to whom he says, "You're nothing but a politician".

The students have an ally, Mr. Will Drucker, one of their teachers who encourages them to fight for their rights. He pays a price for his position and is fired by Principal Weller. He decides to use his dismissal to make a change of his own, using his new-found free time to produce a documentary chronicling the experiences of students who are faced with similar issues. Holden befriends a group of students, including libertarian Charlotte Pratt, voyeuristic punk-rock fan Chuck McGinn, cheerleader Katie Carmichael, Chinese-American Emily Chua, homosexual Lawrence Reitzer, African-American Walanda Jenkins, cheerleader Kelly Stepford, founder of the school's celibacy society Monica Rose, cheerleader Ashley Harris, and goth chick Dementia. Together, they engage in civil disobedience, passing out condoms and staging walk-outs, and organize the student body to take on Principal Weller and make a real change at Booker High. Due to their efforts, Weller loses the election and subsequently quits her job.

Cast

Students

Faculty and staff

Parents

Inspiration

This film was inspired by true events. Three students in particular are interviewed at the end of the film, including:

  • Lanessa Riobe of Osceola High School, who was suspended for taping condoms to her shirt in order to promote safe sex,[2]
  • Natalie "Nicky" Young, who was suspended for wearing a shirt proclaiming, "Barbie is a Lesbian",[3] and
  • Rachel Boim, who was suspended for writing a story about a girl experiencing a violent dream.[4]

Soundtrack

The movie contains the following songs:

Reception

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes the film has a score of 17% based on reviews from 36 critics, with an average rating of 4.4/10. The site's consensus states: "An awkward blend of teen comedy and social commentary, Kids in America largely fails to provoke thought or laughter".[5]

References

  1. ↑ Ebert, Roger (October 20, 2005). "A teen comedy with brains". Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  2. ↑ Deluzuriaga, Tania (November 1, 2003). "Osceola Girl Suspended For Safer-sex Message". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Teen sues over 'lesbian Barbie' shirt ban". CNN. June 20, 2003. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  4. ↑ "My So-Called Life". reason.com's Hit & Run Blog. October 24, 2003. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Kids in America (2005)". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
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