NO, this is not another of those high school teen flicks about puppy love, vicious social politics, prom queens and nerds.
American Teen is an observational documentary that plays out uncensored, giving us a revealing look at the present generation of American teenagers.
It takes a real-life look at a group of high school seniors in the small, mid-west town of Warsaw, Indiana, revealing their hopes, fears and faults.
Written, directed and produced by Nanette Burstein, this is an example of the present generation of adolescents, a generation more open than any before them.
It is the internet, mobile phones, You Tube, Facebook and other social networks generation. One which hides no secrets, something that maturity might change.
At times, you get the impression these teenagers are acting and not just living out their lives.
Burstein uses animation to portray the teenagers’ dreams, something which is clearly distinctive and separates fact from imagination in a way that gives greater depth to their understanding.
Whether these high school seniors are a true example of American teens is questionable, but they definitely reflect mid-west small-town America.
Watching the drama of their lives is fun, emotional and at times a bit frightening.
Burstein looks at four students in particular.
Popular, blonde, school council leader and daughter of a successful businessman, Megan Krizmanich is the school’s queen bee and her blonde sidekick, Ali, ensures Megan remains so.
Colin Clemens is captain and star of the Warsaw basketball team and is hoping to get a university sports scholarship.
Under extreme pressure from his ex-athlete dad, he converts that pressure against himself.
Then there is Hannah Bailey, an emotional, artistic girl who wants to go to California and become a filmmaker, and Jake Tusing, a nerd with serious acne, a bad haircut and a cruel streak.
When Hannah falls for Jake, his cruel streak dictates he dumps her.