Tropic Sprockets / Eighth Grade

Tropic Sprockets / Eighth Grade

By Ian Brockway

Comedian Bo Burnham writes and directs his first feature “Eighth Grade.” It is one of the most affecting studies of adolescence I have ever seen. It touches on many genres: comedy, drama and even horror. There is not one wasteful shot in the entire film, and it gripping from start to finish.

It tells the story of Kayla (Elsie Fisher) and her life in middle school. Kayla is not odd, but she is quiet and introspective. She does not have school friends. Her main outlet is the production of how-to YouTube videos. While she is reticent in her daily life, Kayla opens up in front of the camera and her smartphone is her confidante.

One day the mother of a snobby classmate invites her to a pool party. Kayla hesitantly accepts. The beginning of the party has the feeling of a horror film reminiscent of “Carrie” (1976), complete with jarring music. Girls parade around with glazed smiles as awkward boys flex their biceps and drink strange phosphorescent liquids. Other boys glare icily at her. Hyperventilating, Kayla moves forward.

Things do not go well and she tries unsuccessfully to call her dad (Josh Hamilton) for an early exit.

During a school shooting drill, Kayla gets the idea to approach her crush Aiden (Luke Prael),  a smug, dark-eyed boy with a frozen stare. She convinces him that she has nude photos of herself and engages in oral sex, but the drill ends before any agreement is made. Almost every encounter leaves Kayla sweaty and mortified. The fear on her face is palpable and heart-rending.

During a high school orientation, Kayla meets the sweet and gregarious Olivia (Emily Robinson) and they become fast friends. To see such a change for Kayla is striking and emotional. It is beyond doubt that it will bring some to tears. There seems an almost supernatural connection between them, yet it seems altogether real.

During a ride home when Kayla is alone in the car with Olivia’s glib friend Riley (Daniel Zolghadri) there is a disheartening but realistic incident when a truth or dare game goes to far.

The actor Jake Ryan steals the show as Gabe, an awkward but cringingly honest friend of Kayla’s, who invites her over for dinner. This “date” scene rivals anything from “The Big Sick” or Judd Apatow.

“Eighth Grade” is a deep, emotive study of middle school years. It is intense, shocking and vibrational with hardly anything left out or disregarded. It is both joyous and apprehensive. In just 90 minutes it is incredibly engrossing, a compact film that packs a punch, more powerful in intent and meaning than larger films.

Write Ian at [email protected]

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