EIGHTH GRADE Earns an A for its Earnestness and Optimistic Outlook - Shout Out for Elsie Fisher

The burn out of the High School genre films has been resuscitated by Bo Burnham's heart warming film EIGHTH GRADE.  Burnham is quite the Renaissance man.  He's a comedian, singer, actor, screenwriter whose break out debut feature film is brimming with charm, candor, honesty, humor and the pathos of adolescents finding their paths.  Kayla (a remarkably convincing Elsie Fisher) is in her last week of 8th.  Kayla is not bullied, a mean teen or a beauty queen.  She is more or less your typical friendless student amidst a maze of phone crazed self-indulgent 13 year olds.  Kayla plays the cymbals in the student orchestra which is the most noise she makes at school.  She's voted "quietest" by her peers (they still vote for "the most...?") in schools.  If that seems archaic and politically passe the school does shooter lockdown drills.  (But, with a principal aiming a gun and saying "you're dead, you're dead" was too drastic - or is it?)  Those two issues aside, the reality of life today for young teens and their parents is realistically apparent.  Kudos for not utilizing 20 something actors in these roles and for not grouping the stereotypical dumb jocks, smart nerds or mean girls, etc.  The heroine, Kayla, is plump & pimply & unassuming.  Kayla finds her inner voice by posting on social media her sagacious advice & optimistic outlook.  Unfortunately, Kayla doesn't garner a following although these posts are some of the most winning scenes in the film.  The themes Kayla addresses are "being yourself,"  "putting yourself out there" and that "change can be a good thing."  Kayla lives with her single dad, Mark (an excellent Josh Hamilton).  The demarcation in generations are clearly drawn.  Not only are parents/adults in a whole other solar system, so to are the differences between 8th graders and high school seniors.  EIGHTH GRADE is overflowing with good intentions and irrepressible spirit thanks to Burnham's brilliant screenplay & directing and the outstanding performances by Fisher, Hamilton and the entire supporting cast.  If this film doesn't bring a smile to your face you belong in detention or in the corner with a dunce cap.  (Do they still do that?)