There is not a tremendous amount of plot in I Feel Stupid; essentially it seems to focus on only a couple of days where two young teens have their horizons broadened when an older, and more sexually confident, girl comes to visit. This exposure is not played out in big gestures or changes to the characters, but rather in small and awkward advances – which is pretty much how the teenage years are, an awkward shuffle from childhood into something starting to resemble adulthood.
The film's strength is how well it captures this without blowing it out of proportion or making those big Hollywood moments at any point; okay the downside of this is that narratively, it isn't the most impacting film you'll see, and you won't be gripped by the plot, but it is honest to the characters, and this is where it works. The cast deliver on the script, with an older girl trying almost too hard to show how mature she is, the younger girl captivated by this inspirational figure, and a boy who is interested in both of them even if he doesn't seem to really know why, or what to do about it. They play it out with convincing physical performances, with all the uncoordinated awkwardness that one would expect – but again, but quite low-key.
The film takes a patient camera to this, letting these small scenes play out for what they are. It looks and sounds good through, and is there to capture the physical elements such as looks and body language. It is not an amazing film at the end of the day, and I can understand why it would leave some viewers cold due to the perceived lack of event and closure, however as a small look at teenage development, it is natural, honest, and pretty engaging.
