At the intersection of hormonal overdrive and the social programming of a young Jehovah's Witness comes the rad '80's throwback, "Confessions of a Teenage Jerk," the film adaptation of Tony DuShane's infamous book by that same name. Famously, not every great read translates to the big screen, but with DuShane penning the screenplay, it's easy to see why this one hits across the board.
Gabe (Sasha Feldman) is said teenage jerk. It's tough to say he's got his Rebel Yell on quite yet, but questions surrounding his family-provided faith are starting to seep through his newfound cracks. Like many faiths, inheriting this one apparently comes with prerequisite responsibilities levied by pressure from a devout family (pops is a church elder) and the religious institution they exist to serve. Yet Gabe also finds himself as a lad overwhelmed by the conflicting ravages of testosterone, and from that dichotomous push-and-pull, a highly enjoyable film is born: Gabe's loins implore him to get laid, yet his well-conditioned mind implores him to serve his God and play the long game. Along the way, Gabe pays witness to his cousin's breasts; elsewhere, confessions to "accidental" sodomy are offered by a clearly repentant church husband. Gabe somewhat innocuously falls in disfavor of his church, causing further cracks along the fault lines of the family dynamic, where all is already not too well (dad has a hair trigger temper, and mom is an escapist boozer). Typical American family, then, is Gabe's.
In the balance, "Confessions of a Teenage Jerk" succeeds in projecting far beyond the confines of its religious footprint: God or no God, so many of us have negotiated life's early tug of war in which our hand-me-down game plan must be reconciled with one that speaks to us personally. From that standpoint, "Confessions of a Teenage Jerk" has a truly broad-based appeal as a terrific piece of entertainment worthy of our collective indulgence. - Was this review of use to you? If so, let me know by clicking "Helpful." Cheers!
Gabe (Sasha Feldman) is said teenage jerk. It's tough to say he's got his Rebel Yell on quite yet, but questions surrounding his family-provided faith are starting to seep through his newfound cracks. Like many faiths, inheriting this one apparently comes with prerequisite responsibilities levied by pressure from a devout family (pops is a church elder) and the religious institution they exist to serve. Yet Gabe also finds himself as a lad overwhelmed by the conflicting ravages of testosterone, and from that dichotomous push-and-pull, a highly enjoyable film is born: Gabe's loins implore him to get laid, yet his well-conditioned mind implores him to serve his God and play the long game. Along the way, Gabe pays witness to his cousin's breasts; elsewhere, confessions to "accidental" sodomy are offered by a clearly repentant church husband. Gabe somewhat innocuously falls in disfavor of his church, causing further cracks along the fault lines of the family dynamic, where all is already not too well (dad has a hair trigger temper, and mom is an escapist boozer). Typical American family, then, is Gabe's.
In the balance, "Confessions of a Teenage Jerk" succeeds in projecting far beyond the confines of its religious footprint: God or no God, so many of us have negotiated life's early tug of war in which our hand-me-down game plan must be reconciled with one that speaks to us personally. From that standpoint, "Confessions of a Teenage Jerk" has a truly broad-based appeal as a terrific piece of entertainment worthy of our collective indulgence. - Was this review of use to you? If so, let me know by clicking "Helpful." Cheers!