You know that feeling of you get when you know you've just seen a monumentous film yet there's no crowds, no endless showings, no drama, some hype but not so much that it deafens you, its a feeling of pure joy and excitement. That was me, sitting watching 'Eighth Grade'.
'Eighth Grade' didn't come from nowhere, it came from festivals and the mind of Bo Burnham (aka to Parks & Rec fans, Chip McCapp) and it was hit. It won over audiences and critics alike and finally its arrived in the UK. I'd heard about the film way back in 2018 and brilliantly written it was and how brutally honest it was and that there was no announcement for when it was being released over here, but this was the same for 'Sorry to Bother You' another Sundance hit which had a surprise last minute slot at LFF. In other words, I've been waiting months for this film and in a way, years too. It was worth the wait. My impatient heart melted from the minute it started.
Charting her last week of Middle School, Kayla, quiet, nervous and awkward, makes advice videos in her room to an audience of sometimes no one. She has a creative and fun side, as she says, but has no friends to share this side with, despite her Dad's encouragment and support. She decides to 'put herself out there' by trying new things such as going to a pool party and making friends with a high schooler she is paired with in preparation for the next year. Although a few misguided steps and uncomfortable moments later, it seems that she may be on the right track.
It's a rare thing (believe it or not) to see yourself reflected in a character on TV or film. I can name a combination of TV characters that I can relate to BUT film is different. Some complain that film is too fanastical and doesn't reflect reality, where as some would say that film tries to realistic and losses what the big screen is all about, loosing yourself in a fantasy and fictional world. What 'Eighth Grade' does is makes you feel you could be watching anyone's story. It's relatable through its characters, dialogue and events BUT the addition of music and design, the film easilt slips into fantasy or fiction.
The comments made through the story, about social media and the internet being part of the younger generations lives and that even though Kayla is only 4 years younger than the high schoolers she meets, they are a generation apart. Kayla is never without her phone, its a life line to outside of her inside world. Even though Kayla is seen as an introvert who is quiet and shy, her phone doesn't prevent her from trying to connect with others. Her peers, the so called 'popular' or 'cool' kids are also glued to their phones, yet they choose to use them as barriers to ignore people like Kayla. The question whether there is a generation gap between teenagers is touched upon (as this is not the main point of the film) but is answered throughout. When Kayla wants to find out information, such as 'how to give a good blow job' she literally Googles it, where as her new high school pal Olivia, 4 years older, would probably not done this, seeing what is accessible then is easier to find now. Kayla embraces the technology that her and her peers use constantly but there is a side to her who can appreciate other forms of her entertainment and what she thinks is 'cool' by the gift she gives as a birthday present. She hasn't lost her spirit or what makes her, her.
Elsie Fisher is superb as Kayla, capturing her vulnerabilities and expressing every ounce of pain and despair. Her reaction to being voted 'Most Quiet' by her classmates is quietly dramatic as she shuts her eyes in anguish, this is the last thing she wanted. Her desire for friends and confidence is something that all kids have, no matter who they are. The universal appeal of these incidences, which seems minor are everything to a 13 year old. Her judgement of herself is harsh and heartbreaking at the same time. Constantly saying sorry for things she should never be sorry for is so poignant. But when she chooses to make another time capsule for herself, with the worlds, 'To the coolest girl in the world' again, there is hope that she'll take her own advice from her videos and just be herself and I think that is something to hold onto or my case, reflect on and hope that I have always just been myself.