The film is about Ben, a young teenage who is trying to tell something to his parents and in the very next scene, we see him crying calling his sister Hannah to pick him up in freeing cold without his shoes or jacket. It's only then the gravity of the situation kicks in that the parents have kicked him out. Hannah was already estranged with parents and she and her husband lovingly take in Ben, and sh thinks they kicked him out because he is gay. He got signed up as a new student in the school where Hannah's husband teaches and makes friends with self-identified cool kid Nathan and his two other friends. Then there is the school art teacher who slowly becomes a friend and a mentor to Ben. The art teacher is the first person Ben tells that that he is non-binary and unsure about himself. After a very heart warming conversation, he also tells Hannah and her husband, who, to his surprise take it very well and ask him about his pronoun, which Ben says should be 'they/them'. Ben is also discovering first love with Nathan and the two are getting along well, But Ben can't get over how things with parents ended. But thanks to love from his sister Nathan, art teacher and friends; it is this new environment that Ben is able to imagine and begin building a future that is centered around self-love and acceptance.
The film gives you a lot of Heartstopper vibes at a few places. The story wisely chooses to center the story on the characters’ joy and journey of self-discovery. The actor playing Ben portrays the shy and fragile Ben with so much heart and vulnerability that viewers will instantly feel protective of the character. You connect with them and feel for them. Thankfully the love and support Ben gets from Hannah and the brother-in-law makes their life much better. In contrast Nathan's character seems a little too perfect. A happy go lucky guy, it would have been nice to see a little glimpse of what his relationship with his family is like. That said, he is instantly likable and proves to be the caring first brush with love that Ben deserves.The chaotic art teacher is the sort of oddball adult figure all teen movies need to guide the lost main character down the path they’re afraid to take. In it short 90 minutes duration, the film is tiring to cover a lot of ground and sometimes the pace of the movie feels uneven, but the film wears its sincerity proudly and, despite its imperfections, has a sense of its purpose. The thesis statement of this film is best summed up in this line: “I wish you all the best because you deserve it.” Young queer people who grow up surrounded by adults who tell them they’re doomed to hell because of their identity often feel they don’t deserve happiness. Although it’s not without its flaws, this film is an endearing coming-of-age film about finding the strength to be oneself in a world that expects conformity. The film reminds young adults and adults alike to seek out their proverbial tribe and find the courage to be their authentic selves. (7/10)
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