Two things that significantly affected my viewing of this film, I was a 7th grade teacher for 12 years (so it gave me PTSD), and Kevin Pollak was sitting one empty seat away from me! It is very hard not to listen for a great character actor's laughs and small comments to his wife(?). I also felt slightly self-concious about my own.
This, of course, fit in perfectly with what may be the most cringey, awkward, brilliant film about this…
This film is much like seeing an art masterpiece at a museum. I can recognize the amazing craft, the historical references, the surprising break from the known, the elegance and beauty in the work, and yet, if it doesn't engage my heart, leaves me impressed but ultimately cold.
Caveat: My mom was just 21 when she had me and 22 when she had my sister. She was a single parent for us from the time I was 3-14. She was on welfare until I was 7.
I say all this because this film wrecked me. It is so non-judgmental and allows reality to breathe all the while capturing childhood in all its gritty innocence. This is an America that I am acutely aware of and which is too…
