Home > Movies > Movie Review > Rocket Science

Rocket Science

High school comedy is top of the class

By Geoff Berkshire, Metromix

August 10, 2007

Critic's Rating:

• Email
• Print View
• Share
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Furl
  • Google
  • Reddit
  • Mixx
  • Mister Wong
  • Yahoo Buzz
  • Yahoo
• Add To Favorites
• Add to playlist

Completely average high school student Hal Hefner (Reece Thompson) struggles with a stuttering problem that leaves him feeling isolated from his peers. When a beautiful classmate (Anna Kendrick) convinces him to join the debate team it seems like the perfect way to build his confidence and find love.

Big question: Can director Jeffrey Blitz transition from nonfiction (the excellent National Spelling Bee documentary, “Spellbound”) to fiction films? (Hint: He already won a best director award at this year’s Sundance film festival.)

Catch it: This smart, brilliantly executed comedy gets big laughs from its sharply drawn characters. It’s the rare movie that excels in both the little details and the big picture. Surprising plot twists keep the story fresh, and Thompson’s standout performance deserves to make him a star.

Skip it: If you think stuttering is never a laughing matter, or nothing but laughs. “Rocket Science” is all about finding both the humor and the angst in teen lives.

Bottom line: This is the best high school movie since "Election." Blitz emerges as a major comedic filmmaker by balancing humor with empathetic portraits of society's freaks and geeks.

Bonus: One major downside to Hal's stuttering: it makes ordering pizza nearly impossible.

You will be prompted to register or log in when posting.

Comment

Please note that by clicking on "Post Comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Service. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.