True Adolescents

  • Review Date: September 4, 2011
  • NR
  • Genre: Drama
  • 2009
Review

Common Sense Media says

Unemployed wannabe rocker forced to grow up in so-so drama.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this drama features lots of language ("f--k," "s--t," "a--hole," etc.) and some drinking, smoking, and marijuana use. The main character is an aimless musician who starts out as a poor role model, but when a camping adventure goes awry, he must make some tough choices, and in the process learns a little about himself. A few scenes include teens kissing (including a brief kiss between two boys) and talking about sex.

  • Positive messages2
    Sometimes it takes a shock to the system to realize that it's time to grow up. Sam is frustrated with his life but unwilling to make any changes until a trip to the woods makes him understand that many of his problems are of his own making.
  • Positive role models1
    Sam is a terrible role model, a wannabe rock star whose band plays, occasionally, to sparse audiences. He's refused to pursue any other lifestyle, leaving him a broke, unemployed homeless thirty-something who is angry at everyone. But when he's forced into a dangerous situation and people are depending on him, he rises to the occasion without complaint.
  • Violence1
    No violence but some scenes include people yelling at each other in anger.
  • Sex2
    Young teens make out after meeting at a hotel pool. Two teen boys are briefly seen kissing. Plenty of ribald talk among teen boys about sex, though it's mostly aspirational as they have few experiences to actually discuss. Some discussion about whether a character may be gay.
  • Language4
    Lots of swearing, including "s--t," "a—hole," "d--k," and various permutations of the F-word. An adult frequently insults two young teenage boys with some very choice language.
  • Consumerism0
    Not applicable.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking3
    Some drinking in bars or while relaxing at home. One character smokes cigarettes, even while hiking in the woods. He also drinks beer and gets drunk while alone in a hotel room. Two adults smoke a joint and share it with a not-very-reluctant young teenage boy.
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What's the story?

Sam (Mark Duplass) is a loser. There's not really a better way to describe an unemployed rocker wannabe, still playing to sparse Tuesday night crowds. It gets worse when his girlfriend throws him out, leaving him homeless and crashing (again) with his aunt Sharon (Melissa Leo in a small role). With nothing better to do, he agrees to take Sharon's son and his best friend (Bret Loehr and Carr Thompson) camping, a trip that absolutely does not go according to plan.

Is it any good?

 

There are some things about TRUE ADOLESCENTS that ring true. Duplass has nailed the role of a man still chasing dreams of stardom and refusing to grow up. He's optimistic but bitter and takes it out on everyone around him. No wonder he bugs just about all the people he knows. And the boys, Jake and Oliver, really do seem like best friends who depend on, and sometimes irritate, each other.

The camping-trip-gone-awry is also the kind of thing that could happen to anyone, and it's nice to see Sam step up when people are relying on him. It's almost the catalyst to help him grow. Almost. But in the end, it's not clear that he's learned anything, and the films ends pretty much in the same place it started: a portrait of a loser.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the messages in this movie. What is the movie trying to say about responsibility and life choices? Do you think Sam makes a significant change by the end of the film? Does the film successfully convey its message through Sam?

  • What do you think about the smoking and drinking in the film? Is it there to indicate something about the characters? Would the movie have worked without the smoking and drinking?

  • How realistic is this movie? Do you know anyone like Sam?

This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo

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This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
Studio:New Video Group
Director:Craig Johnson
Cast:Mark Duplass, Melissa Leo
Genre:Drama
Run time:88 minutes
Theatrical release date:March 14, 2009
DVD release date:August 30, 2011
MPAA rating:NR
This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

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