Middle school is a grossly awkward time and I’m sure everyone has some positively cringe inducing memories from their early teenage years. What Eighth grade does is takes a simple and earnest look of the awkwardness that we all experienced. A unique, clever, and painfully honest film, Eighth Grade runs with it’s titular time period and spins a sometimes funny and sometimes sad but always introspect look at a point of time a lot of people often avoid exploring.
In a way I could draw a lot of parallels between Eighth grade and Catcher in the Rye, a similarly earnest and introspective story of a troubled young character. What Burnham does with his script is forces you to recall your own growth through the character by presenting her in full, flaws and all. It makes the entire experience feel oddly nostalgic despite me having never lived through the exact scenarios or met these exact people. But as much as this film is about the awkward tensions of late middle school, it’s also a film about personal growth. Characters grow in a careful and patient ways, and along with the main character, Burnham seamlessly develops the side characters, allowing them to subtly grow with Kayla (Elsie Fisher).
Within the familiar (though relatively unexplored) premise, Burnham makes a lot of observations about how modern technology and societal changes affect the lives of modern teenagers in a way that most viewers would not take the time to consider. There’s a clever socially conscious edge to this film, and Burnham smartly re-appropriated his memories and experiences into a female perspective that gives him even more room to explore the social pressures a teenage girl may face. But along with how well written the script is, it’s further brought to life by a series of appropriately awkward and energetic performances. The young ensemble cast is quite talented and they all fully embody their characters, though the show is often stolen by Fisher’s brutally honest portrayal of Kayla, along with Josh Hamilton as her struggling single father who offers a unique point of connection for viewers.
My only criticism of the film is that Burnham will too often fall back on creating awkward situation to move his plot forward. To the point where it can feel like a crutch at times. I wish he gave a couple more scenes chances to slow down and open up so the more organic moments of drama or comedy can shine through. When this movie does take it’s time to slow down and take itself seriously, Burnham and company are able to create some really powerful moments. But despite this the film reaches a satisfying conclusion that ties up it’s themes smoothly and overcomes some of it’s earlier issues.
Eighth grade is about as authentic a look at life for a 13 year old girl as you’re likely going to get. I was consistently charmed by the film’s unique and memorable characters and they’re committed and heartfelt performances. Eighth grade is a triumph for Bo Burnham and a powerful showcase for it’s young actress. A funny and sweet film that seems to mean the most to the people feeling the most distant from the simpler time Eighth grade reminds you of.