Generation Wrecks movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Generation Wrecks

This coming-of-age dramedy premieres at the Dances with Films Festival in Los Angeles on September 12, 2021.

RATING: R

LENGTH: 1 hour 52 minutes

IN A NUTSHELL:

SYNOPSIS: Stacy and Liz were best friends until the 7th grade when a mysterious event drove them apart. Stacy joined the popular crowd and bullied Liz, who was outed publicly and fell in with the freaks and goths. 5 years later Stacy is moved to repair the friendship and invites Liz to join her for a weekend getaway at her lake house where they used to go, but Liz insists she brings her misfit group with the intent to retaliate for years of misery caused by Stacy.

The film is directed by Kevin T. Morales, who also helped write it with Victoria Leigh and Bridget McGarry. Victoria and Bridget became friends when they played sisters on Law & Order Special Victims Unit – The First Year. They teamed up to write the movie when Victoria’s father (Kevin T. Morales) wanted to create a film about LGBTQ teens in the 90s.

THINGS I LIKED:

The title is a play on words about “Generation X” (Wrecks). I was actually born in Generation X, which is often called “The Lost Generation” and “The Nomad Generation” because it’s such a small generation squeezed between the Baby Boomers and Millennials. Well, technically, I’m the oldest of that generation.
The kids in the movie have to read a book about how different generations experience events and crises differently. That was a really interesting and fascinating scene that I wish could have lasted longer.
The cast includes a bunch of new faces and young talent: Bridget McGarry, Victoria Leigh, John Gargan, Violet Prete, Noa Solomon, Jibreel Mawry, Sam Poon, Jonah Barricklo, Alice Kremelberg, Okieriete Onaodowan, Emily Bergl, Natalie Shaheen, Dion Costelloe. They all did a great job, but Noa Solomon’s performance was the true standout for me.
The casting for the mothers and daughters was good because they actually looked like they could be related. You’ll recognize Heather Matarazzo from when she was a teenage sidekick in The Princess Diaries. In this movie, she’s all grown up and plays the mom of her own teenager.
Generations Y & Z will get a kick out of seeing some of the things their parents grew up with like a Walkman for listening to music, VHS videos, that hamburger bell on bikes (I had one!), and a movie soundtrack that will really take you back in time.
The teens get into a hot debate about pineapple on pizza. I actually love it.
There are parts of the movie that absolutely have a fun vibe of The Breakfast Club especially Act 3.
I was proud of one of the teenage girls who told her boyfriend to stop when he started unwanted touching. He pointed out that her mother couldn’t see it, but the girl stated she didn’t like it. Enough said. Girls need to set the boundaries clearly. Of course, there is more to the story, but it’s good for teen girls to see that strength in movies.
The characters are well defined with lots of diversity and backstories.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Shaky camera shots at the beginning of the movie. I HATE shaky cam. I was worried that was going to go on during the entire movie. Thankfully, it didn’t.
So much teen angst and eye-rolling.
Some edits and transitions were a bit rough.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Profanity, lots of F-bombs, and crude language
Name-calling
Teens smoke weed & put it in brownies
Lots of skin
A girl flips the bird
LGBTQ teens
Premarital hanky panky
Teens celebrate when they steal from a store
Lots of sarcasm

THEMES:

Friendship
Revenge
Death
Grief
Talk of racism
Coming out
Talk of Muslim and Jewish religions

FUNNY LINES:

“I don’t think I’m black enough.” – Freddy (Jibreel Mawry)

INTERESTING LINES:

“Kill them with kindness.” – Jess (Alice Kremelberg)
“I don’t fit in.” – Stacy Snyder (Bridget McGarry) “That’s how you fit in.” – Brandon (Okieriete Onaodowan)
“You’re allowed to feel good.” – Liz Castillo-Campbell (Victoria Leigh)
“If it makes you happy, do it.” – Freddy (Jibreel Mawry) (From a mom’s perspective, that’s terrible advice for kids…just saying…)
“You have to live your life.” – Tony Pollick (John Gargan)