Répétition générale

I loved this movie! I went to a Mystery Movie Night to see it, and most people around me were enjoying it- so I'm not sure why it's getting so much negativity. I laughed and laughed! It was wonderful to see true representation of theater kids and the glories and dysfunctions of this kind of group. I think a lot of people giving negative reviews do not know or appreciate the joy and diversity included in this most glorious group of humanity! I laughed, rolled my eyes, winced, and even cried. It is obviously for a niche group- but if you love theater or musicals, this movie is for you! It would be a great outing for a drama club to enjoy it and laugh together.

Very funny mockumentary. Fortunately, my watching experience was also great because the theater was full of laughter. Seems like a lot of people like it too. Really don't understand why people don't find this movie funny.

I will say tho, there's no super deep, poetical, metaphorical story behind it. So just don't expect coming out of it with a new revelation or question about life. Just take it at face value. It's a funny movie. Set at a theater camp. With talented kids. And talented teachers and stage men. Some really great music pieces. With normal level of daily drama sprinkled through out. And lots of laughs and weird antics.

It's enjoyable and heartwarming. Which i think is just how mockumentary usually feels. And that's enough as a perfect summer movie! And i honestly don't think this is fully targeted for adults.

I'm not opposed if they adopt this as a tv series. I think that will be really enjoyable to stream.

Theater Camp is a great mockumentary that's constantly mining cringe for solid laughs. It's got just as much gleeful cynicism as it does real heart for a winning combination. Obviously it'll work better for theatre people but that doesn't mean it's even remotely inaccessible to anyone who isn't.

All the adults here get to show off their genuine love of performance whilst also sending themselves up in terrific fashion. While they're doing that the film offers a showcase for an immensely talented set of child actors who are all impressive performers with some superb comedic timing.

As directors, Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman use the mockumentary techniques pretty effectively, when it actually remembers it's a mockumentary. All the intertitles add so much, it's the ideal run time and it culminates in the performance of Joan, Still which gets some of the best laughs before culminating in a wonderfully heartfelt moment.

Joan Rubinsky is the co-founder of a theater camp and during one of the show, she has a seizure which puts her in a coma. Her son Troy takes over the camp and finds it hard to belong there as bonding with the staff as well as the kids turns out to be a real challenge. They prepare to perform a new musical based on the life of Joan while Troy struggles to raise enough money to save the place. The sub-plot also involves the two teachers Amos and Rebecca, who are behind the musical and their career differences take a toll on their relationship. Despite all the odds, how the kids end up performing the show and will Troy be able to save the place forms rest of the story.

Initially I did find it hard to get on board with the narrative with it entirely being the off screen life of these kids as well as the camp runners, basically life of theater artists and their antics. But I got used to it on time enough to buy into the narrative. Sure, the writing felt superficial as the financial concern and how it was dealt it was downplayed along with the subplots involving the staffers, where their issues were resolved too easily. But the entire third act and the musical play itself worked it's charm. Overall, it was definitely a decent watch.

... Idk maybe I'm a closeted Theatre guy, if u get my drift haha but ya, it just worked for me - basically it reminded me of one of the old ensemble casted Christopher Guest films, ya know with Eugene Levy and all the staple players - you remember right? Those fabulously fun mockumetararies? - and I've long regarded Ben Platt as one of the all time great voices (I'm certain I'm not alone in this, but I don't follow the musical theater zeitgeist) and although this doesn't showcase his musical prowess per se, it does use him effectively in a comedic role and it just works - I highly recommend it and YES I only gave it an 8 but that's only because I never give tens and 9s are reserved for films that are truely extraordinary (and Rick and Morty haha) anyway enjoy.