Trite and vacuous. Character motivations and desires are painted on in broad, clumsy strokes. Dialogue is cringe-inducing. Watson’s shaky American accent detracts from her otherwise fine performance. Incompetently directed and edited.

And yet, somehow, there are moments where everything works and you just *feel* it. All the flaws melt away and in those fleeting moments you were a part of that world. You feel his agony and desire for Sam, his gut-wrenching longing for her. And in those moments, you’re back in your own high school memories, as waves of stomach-turning nostalgia wash over you.

This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.

Pixar's first flop. My friend and I sullenly sat through the second half of the film after feeling betrayed and disappointed by the animation gods.