Come As You Are

Set amongst a backdrop of insidious emotional manipulation and subtle, self-hate inducing abuse, 'The Miseducation Of Cameron Post (2018)' is a low-key character-drama that excels at letting itself play out in an unexaggerated, 'realistic' way. It condemns its central situation - and specifically the very real institutions and mindsets that it showcases - simply by portraying it in as honest a way as possible, thereby allowing the audience to come to their own, hopefully universal conclusions about the underhanded evil on display (whether or not it's perpetrators know it to be so). However, the opportunity for social-commentary such a setting provides isn't quite as capitalised on as you might expect, since the judgement of its antagonistic characters and thought-processes very much rests on its audience's shoulders. In this way, it almost feels like it lacks the punch to properly sink into the issues on display. Yet, the lack of 'hand-holding' is also appreciated and the viewer is given perhaps more agency than usual. All in all, the almost 'back-seat' approach works for the genre but it's still a double-edged sword. It also applies to the character development, too, as so much of it is internal that one could mistake it for being absent. However, our lead undertakes a distinct and impactful journey. It usually occurs behind her eyes, out of our vision, but emerges in several key yet somewhat indirect moments to make for a wholistic and believable self-discovery. It could've perhaps been given some more room to breathe, alongside a few extra scenes dedicated to inner turmoil in order to make it perhaps more tangible, but is representative of the flick's overall 'laid-back', 'closed-off' vibe. The few moments when it bursts to the fore are powerful, too. The performances are universally great and Moretz is fantastic in the down-played lead role. Everything's generally so subtle, though, and that makes most of the movie a rather 'floaty' affair; there's only so much investment possible when everyone is so guarded and secretive. Still, the overall experience is entertaining, engaging and, sometimes, somewhat upsetting (seeing what these characters have to go through, which is still happening in our world right now, is tough at times). It's a picture that leaves you hopeful but actually has slight, somewhat intangible sting in the tail. There's plenty to like here, but perhaps more could've been done with the material. 6/10

I am a 71 year old heterosexual woman and I loved it. It left me with a large lump in my throat so I went home to see what it was about. And big surprise it took me back to my high school years when I felt so frustrated, bored, trapped by the stupidity of what I was spending my days doing. Taking tests on regurgitated information that didn't interest me at all. I just cried the lump out that was a ball of similar feelings to the ones portrayed in the movie. This was outwardly worse and very poignant and it makes me understand why so many kids today are lost and angry. They are right to be angry. Who is caring for who they are- not who everyone wants them to be?

Thanks for your courageous movie. I think almost anyone could get something out of it.

This small film is a triumph of down-to-earth storytelling on the experience of young people going through gay conversion therapy through religious browbeating. It's the story of a teenage girl, Cameron Post, played with visceral substance by Chloe Grace Moretz, who experiences life in exactly this type of setting. Her story begins when she is discovered engaging in sexual intimacy with a female classmate during prom and is sent by her outraged aunt to a ghastly gay conversion camp in a rural area. She soon meets two other teenage members (Sasha Lane and Forrest Goodluck, both excellent) who secretly refuse to embrace the camp's philosophy.

Although this could have been something more dramatic and perhaps could have gone a bit deeper, it's not a misfire by virtue of being slight in its length or in its treatment of the difficult material. It is alternately heartbreaking and outrageous but also at times bemusing as the camp veers between apparent sadism and pitiful ineptitude in trying to pound its young members into submission. Jennifer Ehle is powerful as the camp's leader and psychologist in an icy, Nurse Ratched-like performance who has her brother, a "cured" gay man as the camp's spiritual leader. The film also does not shy away from showing the emotional toll on even the camp's most docile members.

Even though the film's resolution seems too casual and almost too simple, I still found it quite satisfying, together with a roaring soundtrack which toward the end conveys a ray of hope. Recommended for its thoughtful approach and fine performances.

It was well acted I guess but without spoiling much I was left wondering about the other characters. Over all the plot felt very simple and really left me wanting more.

I so wanted passionate screaming at these disgusting "Christians." Of course this was in 1993 when homosexuality was not acceptable to most straight people. I'm a straight 71 year old male who witnessed homophobia first hand and even accepted that as normal behavior. Then I had the privilege of getting to know some incredible gays, both male and female. They were far more moral than all of the Homophobic Christians I knew. This film focuses on Conversion Therapy which, extraordinarily, still exists today. It's incomprehensible to me that some people think being gay is a choice, is immoral or is a disease. Unfortunately, most people who don't understand the LGBTQ community will never see this film and those that do will most likely dismiss it as mere propaganda. Chloe Grace Moretz paints a compelling portrait of a teen subjected to this treatment and although she rebels to a degree the accepted values of the day stand in the way of her screaming her disgust at "authority."