When I rented "Kids in America" with the ever-social socialite Nicole Richie, I didn't expect this film to be anything more than a gross teen comedy (i.e.: American Pie, American Wedding, etc...) worthy of a few laughs. I was wrong. Gregory Smith's Holden (perhaps named after the famous Holden Caulfield, from the GREATEST BOOK EVER, The Catcher in the Rye???) is great in this film. He is likable, clever, and the film's dominant hero. Holden and his crush Charlotte (played by the very beautiful Stephanie Sherrin) along with 5 other main--but equally different--characters form a band of rebels. This is basically the plot: The group of kids plot to destroy their principal's reputation and stop all chances of her being the Superintendent. There are pranks, jokes, and of course, teenage romance (Holden & Charlotte re-enact well-known make out scenes from famous movies, while answering the question "How many different ways can two people mack on each other?")However, the thing about Kids in America that sets it apart from other films is that it focuses more on reaching the audience and encouraging them to make a change. Entertainment is key, yes, but this film got me thinking for a good 15 minutes. If a film can do this, why, I must applaud it. Also, Julie Bowen is great as the controlling, tyrannical Principal, while Rosanna Arquette plays Charlotte's hippie Super Mom. I recommend seeing this film. It really knows what it's saying to its audience and no, it's not just a dumb teen comedy. It's a smart film with a good mantra: Change The World.
Review of Kids in America
