Why? Please, somebody tell me why,,,
**************SPOILERS********************
Why did I just see this film? Why did I invest a good 70 minutes investing my time into these well written, greatly acted characters, only to have it all taken away by a stupid "school shooting" twist that is a completely manipulative plot device? The movie works greatly without it, as it deals with coming of age struggle in a way that isn't often presented in film. We learn to like and feel for these characters only to have them taken away in a completely disjointed and unconnected way. The only possibly point and meaning behind this film that I can find is to show the audience what it is like to have this happen to them, to put us in the place of the victims. And personally, I really don't think that the audience deserves that. We are already saturated in enough violence and carnage, and when school shootings do occur, we all feel it, whether we are connected or not to it. I really don't think the audience deserves to be put through this film.
The film is manipulative and, honestly, twisted. Jordan Albertsen is a deplorable filmmaker of the worst kind for having created this film. The only reason I can see someone making this film with noble intentions is if they themselves experienced it and filmmaking was the only way they could "get it out". From what I've read, this isn't the case. This is why I say that Jordan Albertsen, despite being very skilled at his craft, is a manipulative, despicable filmmaker.
If Albertsen really wanted it to be a resonating and strong message, not to mention having the story remain character-driven as opposed to just sheerly plot-driven, why not have the kid commit suicide in his car? This helps to serve the theme of change, and how not everyone does change. Not everyone finds their happiness. This can also show how the death of even someone that we don't know or don't care about can resonate deeply.
Instead, but having it play out like a generic "twist" ending, by having the audience think he commits suicide in the beginning, "but wait! He actually gets out and kills everyone!", it is extremely dishonest and *beep* This isn't a story that should be told in a twisty way. This is a story that should be told straightforward, without trying to play trickery on the audience. When the shootings begin, it almost feels as though the filmmakers are saying "Ha ha ha! Gotcha! You thought he was killing himself? Nooo! He kills everyone else! Betcha didn't see that coming! Ha ha ha! Gotcha!" 'Deplorable' is the first word that comes to mind. It takes a heartless, completely unethical director to make this movie in this way.
So please, tell me why I just spent an hour and a half of my time getting to know these characters just to have the "rug pulled out from under me" with a slick "twist" of the school shooting? Why should I ever recommend to anyone to see this film? Why should anyone want to get wrapped up into the stories of these characters just to have us twisted by a horrible plot device? To create controversy? To stir up debate? To piss people like me, who actually put thought and time into movies, off? Why?
I'm just glad that, after Tuesday's events at VTU, this movie will never be picked up for distribution. Not without taking out all elements of school shootings, which would actually make this a worthy and watchable film.