The Wise Kids

A fantastic movie
Wow. Movies don't get much better than this little gem.

Nothing is either predictable or stereotyped, none of the characters are one-dimensional villains or good guys, gays don't hate Christians and Christians don't hate gays, homos and heteros get along okay - and yet (and this is the movie's most astounding accomplishment) every person in it is real and complex and nobody gets shoehorned into a false and creepy "let's all just love one another" box.

These are real people, doing what real people do in tough situations. Not ranting at each other like the morons on talk radio and in Congress but living together, working through their differences instead of using the differences to attack each other.

Without ever being the least bit sappy or manipulative or simplistic, this movie shows what love is: Loving is hard most of the time, and it hurts - a LOT - sometimes, but it's worth every tear and every drop of blood it costs.

This is a fantastic...

An insightful and sensitive film about religion
"The Wise Kids" is a small ensemble film that is led by two charismatic young leads, Molly Kunz and Tyler Ross. They give impressive and nuanced performances as two childhood friends who are becoming adults. Kunz is Brea, the daughter of a minister whose church is the center of life in this small town in South Carolina. Ross (who was excellent in "Nick & Margaret," one of the unheralded indie gems of 2012) portrays Tim, her best friend who is just beginning to accept his homosexuality but is otherwise well-adjusted and confident.

Both characters are headed to New York for college in the fall, and in the remaining months they have at home they struggle to keep their families and friends close while also seeking some freedom and adventure far away. However, the greater part of their journey is the spiritual maturation that takes place even before they head off for school. Brea begins to have doubts about religion and its role in her life. I found the development of her...

Small movie with authentic actors
I enjoyed this little movie about small towns and chuches and their level of acceptabce for things new to them. The filmmaker knew what he was talking about on this one, very nice performances by young actors.

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