Spork

I have to admit I wasn't expecting much when I started to watch this film. The title and photo looked quirky however so it grabbed my interest and I decided to see what it was about.

Needless to say I watched the whole thing through instead of stopping after 10 minutes. Something about the characters drew me in. I think it was the heart of the movie and its unconventional situations which kept me watching. Also, the message at the end was actually uplifting and inspiring instead of cheesy. I think this was credit due to the writers and their wise choice of words.

One thing that struck me about this film is it shows an amazingly real friendship between two girls from black and white culture. Sometimes I feel that there is this divide between certain black and white cultures where people from the different cultures cannot really connect. But this bond between these two girls showed a strength beyond stereotypes where it was possible: Where people can look past their differences and see each other as human beings: caring about each other and sticking together despite their differences and social pressures.

Some people complained about the "booty shaking," but I feel the film was simply being true-to-life. In fact, I'm amazed that a film could show such a kind light on both black and white stereotypical behavior at the same time. Normally "booty shaking" films don't have a dorky white likable protagonist, and vice versa.

To those who were leery of the hermaphrodite theme: I wouldn't worry too much because it never gets too graphic or goes too far with it. It did however make me think about the fact that there are people out there who have to live with that condition.

This film did remind me of some others at first, like Napoleon Dynamite. I was actually expecting something like Welcome to the Dollhouse when I first started watching it. But to me this film had more heart than those other movies. It was about strength, perseverance, and staying a kind person despite bullying and having a difficult life. There was a subtle maturity about this film, and it was uplifting.

Spork (Savannah Stehlin) is a 14 year old hermaphrodite outcast. She lives with her older brother Spit in a trailer. Her best friend is black girl Tootsie Roll living in the next trailer. Chunk is a fellow outcast who tells her to be herself. Charlie has two gay father but refuses to be a fag. Spork gets bullied by the mean girls and she hits Betsy Byotch on the nose with a basketball. Betsy vows revenge. There's a school dance contest. Tootsie Roll gets injured and can't win the prize money to travel to visit her father in prison. Spork decides to enter.

This is a weird and completely original movie. This is a strange alternate take on the very familiar high school genre. It's appealing and the young actors are terrific. It has a fun energy that is awkward and stumbling. If little blonde girls doing blackface is funny, then this is the movie for you.

I was fortunate enough to catch the final midnight screening of this at the Tribeca festival 2010. I went in with a very much half-soaked approach. The idea of a sexual discovery narrative driven by a 12 year old wasn't entirely appealing to me. But, having said that, my view was instantly and irreversibly changed.

Within the first ten minutes of the film, you will find yourself gripped by a cast matured far beyond their years, and intimate and precise direction that is often lacking in even the most impressive titles.

I wont go into the story, or why i enjoyed this film quite so much, but suffice to say, the writing is spot on. Rather than talking down to the young cast, the script really exalts them, and you feel on an emotional par with every member of the cast.

I watched a lot of films from indie festivals this year, and i can only hope that Spork gains the critical acclaim, and distribution deal that it deserves. I cant wait to see it on British shores!

The biggest thing that strikes home on "Spork" is it's genuine heart. Like John Hughes before it; we have kids honestly represented, speaking like adults as they process their angst. If you like great music, believable characters and you love movies like "Mean Girls," "Napoleon Dynamite" and Linklatter's classic "Dazed And Confused," you will love the touching day in the life coming-of-age story that is "Spork." The only other movie that compares to a protagonist struggling to fit in like "Spork," is the Corey Haim classic "Lucas." In fact Savannah Stehlin seems to channel him, dorky glasses included.This film is destined to be a classic. Do yourselves a favor and see this movie so you can fall in love with "Spork" and her best friend "Tootsie Roll" - a break out performance by Sydney Park. You will not be disappointed.

A very unexpected well presented storyline that was as inspiring as much as it was unconventional.