Hip hip hora!

... this was NOT a good teenage movie: this was a good movie, period! A very good movie. Looks like there is a very fine tradition for intelligent and sensible teenage movies on the make right now in Sweden, and I am thinking of Lukas Moodysson's "Show Me Love" (everybody knows the original title I suppose...). Anyway, back to Teresa Fabik's film. Poignant, forceful, amusing, clever, well-structured. Amazing direction, amazing young actors, not to mention a gorgeous Amanda Renberg. With great performances. Not for the faint-hearted who are afraid to face to what their children have to face every day, not for those who are looking for some light-weight entertainment, and certainly not for people who want their movies like their lives: black or white and nothing in between.

This is a Swedish film about three friends who are going to switch to 7th grade after their summer holiday. The friends are all girls and one of them is really looking forward to becoming an "adult" as she sees it. They are going to party and get boyfriends and all that comes with it. She tries to hit on this cool guy in the 9th grade and it results in her being invited to a party. During the party she hooks with a guy and becomes way too drunk, it all ends up in her collapsing on the floor and the 9th grade guys start taking pictures of her. The pictures spread through the school like a fire and she becomes a slut in the eyes of many students. The film is about the friends relationship with each other and how one changes during this period in life. The movie is somewhat predictable but its a nice ride all the way through! I recommend it! 8/10

This film deals with many problems that teenagers go through growing up. These are dealt with in a realistic way, unlike Hollywood films where everybody rides around in BMW's and dresses in designer clothes. The actress that plays the lead in the film gives a stunning performance. The film does contain a few clichés, but if it was not for these I do not think it would of become so popular and probably never released outside of Finland. The music really sets the tone for the piece and captures the zeitgeist. I think both the director and some of the actors have bright futures ahead of them. Go and see this film and decide what you think.

I saw this movie a couple of days ago with my girlfriend and I must say it is sad but true. The movie that is directed by Teresa Fabik shows that she knows what she is talking about, it's sad and chocking that the society is like this (at least in Sweden). The movie tells the truth that nobody wants to talk about, how girls in schools (not only in schools) have to find themselves as sexual objects that boys/men can do what they please with and then get away with it as common behavior.

I would urge all schools in Sweden to show this movie in an educational purpose. I would rate this movie 10/10 no doubt about it.

Maybe it's because I'm not a kid anymore, most wouldn't even consider me that young. In fact, I suppose I'm about the same age as the main characters father and his co-workers at the school his daughter attends and gets lauded with being a whore. It's probably also because my wife is a teacher and that I myself have done some temp-work, in any case this movie really captured me and made me feel very uncomfortable - but in a good way.

It's a movie that shows how easily things can go wrong and how hard it is to get rid of a rumour - no matter how untrue. It's also an image of the struggles of friendship. Both I and my wife talked long about the movie after seeing it, discussing who of the characters most corresponded to ourselves as youngsters, how we wish we hadn't been and how hard it is for "adults" to really understand their kids. The movie left us with the hope that we won't treat our kids the same way when they reach the critical age -that WE would be able to listen without prejudice and keep an open mind. This movie is a must-see for all teenagers and their parents, but not together. Teenagers separate, their parents separate. And make sure you have time for a long discussion afterwards - it's worth it.

A good solid movie with HUGE young talent in the leading roles.

It's even more unsettling when you think that writer/director Fabik has based events on her own experiences. Grade: 4/5