STRUCK BY LIGHTNING

Click to view Region 4 artwork.

Relief! I was overcome with it when I realised that Struck By Lightning was not another typical teen-com. My defences were up and the atrocious Australian dvd artwork wasn't filling me with confidence. It stars Chris Colfer (the annoying gay kid from Glee and that alone caused me a little bit of pre-movie anxiety. But as with most films I gave it the benefit of the doubt and pressed play. Wow, what a surprise! This is a smart, witty and observational coming of age story that's unlike others I recall seeing. Colfer plays a brainiac who's IQ and thirst for knowledge far succeeds any of his peers. He's stuck in a life he wants to break free of and ironically needs the help of everyone around him. To get into a prestigious university and chase his dreams of becoming an editor he must first put together a literary magazine... the problem is that he's the only one who gives a shit. And so with the help of a lonely fat girl (Rebel Wilson) he digs up dirt on almost the entire school body and blackmails everyone into submitting written pieces. I admit that I judged this Chris Colfer kid unfairly. His presence on Glee clouded my judgement but now I see in him an absolute talent. He wrote this film based on his own novel (HIS OWN NOVEL) and with a quick wiki search I discovered that he also has two more novels for young adults. That's amazing, he's 22. In this film he addressed issues of depression, abandonment and drug dependancy as well as homosexuality and mental disorders. His view of the world and the belief that with perseverance great things are possible is inspiring. He has written a film far beyond his years and I take my hat off to him. Adding cred to the film are supporting performances from Allison Janney, Dermott Mulroney and Christina Hendricks as well as Rebel Wilson who offers a more subtle character to what she's known for. It was directed by Brian Dannelly who made Saved (another intelligent teen com) and it caught me off guard. Ignore the stupid region 4 cover art and give this one some attention.

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