Lars the Emo Kid

Being honest I didn't know what to expect from this movie. After seeing it though, I have been inspired by the many messages the movie portrays. From real issues dealing with today's youth, to marriage and dealing with death. drugs, friends, influences, relationships and marriage. This is a powerful film that should get be seen by youth. If you get a chance to see it please do! Even though there are some tough scenes this movie gives a real and pretty accurate view into the world of a teenagers. This movie will encourage you to speak to the social awkward kid, that you may not understand in a whole new light. Hope the messages in this movie will motivate many adults to remember how hard todays youth experience the world.

Joe Grisaffi & Paxton Gilmore should be proud of this charming indy flick! Performances by Gilmore, Nicole Elliott, and Jake Byrd, carry the day, as we follow Lars, our main character on a familiar journey, through awkward adolescence. Whether you were a jock, a goth, a stoner, a rocker, or all of the above, we've all been Lars at times, and this coming-of-age film, reminds us that all is not lost, even though it sure feels it, at times. I can't wait to see Grisaffi's next effort, as he really provides a safe place for these teens to show their stuff. Great supporting performances as well from Sara Gaston, as Cindy, and Jake Messinger, as The Coach. Good story-telling doesn't need a massive budget, and Lars the Emo Kid proves it!

Director Joe Grisaffi screened this film at our university and it completely exceeded my expectations! The script is beautifully written by Gilmore, who also gives a lovable performance as Lars with the help of a charismatic and varied supporting cast. Grisaffi is a wonderful director who isn't afraid to take risks with style or content. It's a very funny film but also very poignant story about depression, adulthood and friendship. It never gets too dark, neither does it get too corny. Grisaffi himself is a very friendly guy who is extremely passionate about what he does, so it was awesome to get to meet him! As a film lover, I totally recommend this movie.

There is nothing wrong with this film. well written , acted , directed... we enjoyed it very much. strongly recommended...

A preface I don't think is brought up in any other reviews, this movie seemingly grew out of a video series from the mid 2000s called Lars the Emo. It's only loosely based on it and it's tonally very different. But I think it's important context.

It's important because for a movie made in 2015 this movie just has that quintessential 2000s charm. It's written and shot like a webseries from that period. Big time The Guild vibes, a series I'm also a huge fan of. And for all its references and tropes it might as well be from then. Nickelback, beatboxing, George Bush is president, dumb YouTube video callbacks, even the weird rawr so randumb way some of the emo characters act is exactly how I remember them at school. I'm pretty sure I even saw a Blackberry.

It's a time capsule, meticulous in its intent and competent in execution. You could make a drinking game out of the period references. Funny thing is, when this came out, the 2000s only ended half a decade ago. Now it's nearly a decade and a half, and that nostalgia is starting to kick in big time.

This movie does have some serious subject matter. But I'm not gonna say the off kilter tone of the movie really detracts from it. If anything, it's just remaining loyal to its whole 2000s vibe. This stuff wasn't taken as serious back then. I think the 2000s was the last carefree decade before reality started to kick in.

I remember growing up in the 2000s. Terrorist attacks, the Kyoto Protocol, the looming recession. They felt like blips on the radar. Nobody took them seriously yet. Suicide, mental health stuff, it wasn't a huge deal either. Everyone was in a fugue because the bubble hadn't burst yet. Take the guidance counselor for example. That's where emo sorta came from it seems, because the bubble had burst for them, and it's why it makes sense to have one as a main character in what is a tribute to an entire decade.

All this is wrapped up in an otherwise standard high school coming of age story. On this budget, I'd say they did a damn good job.