The entirely fresh coming of age movie The Other Kids traces ten kids who are about to graduate from high school in Sonora, California. The problems that these kids face, how they think about themselves, how they communicate with their parents is remarkably realistic – so much that sometimes it looks like a documentary. The fact that it was shot on a very low budget on location in the decidedly unposh Gold Country town of Sonora contributes to a cinema verite flavor. The young cast is also excellent, and there’s nary a false moment. It’s triumphant debut for writer-director Chris Brown.
Since I saw The Other Kids, I’ve considered this recurring question: Why do I like this movie so much when I don’t even like teenagers? It’s got to be Brown’s masterful story-telling and the authenticity of the characters.