The oversimplifications in high school movies fit in a purely satirical context, but lately many attempt to convey “important coming of age” messages to their audiences, opening speculation about whether it’s possible to relay didactic messages with any integrity through a genre typically so far from reality. --Edrisina sklar 11th grade
High school movies are one of America’s most popular genres of film. It seems like every other movie Netflix comes out with is yet another teenage romcom. Some of these movies strive for accuracy more than others, but regardless, it’s not an uncommon sentiment that most of these films don’t portray the high school experience in a realistic way.
The unrealistic beauty standards, oversimplified social ladders, and exaggerated internal drama present in these movies fit in a purely satirical context, but lately many high school movies attempt to convey “important coming of age” messages to their audiences, opening speculation about whether it’s possible to relay didactic messages with any integrity through a genre typically so far from reality, especially in light of the interests of its current intended audience ( Generation Z.)
A Closer Look- Tall Girl
On September 13th, 2019, Netflix released one of its most controversial movies of this genre. Tall Girl is a typical adolescent rom com except that- and here’s where things get interesting folks- the protagonist is over the average woman’s height.
The unrealistic beauty standards, oversimplified social ladders, and exaggerated internal drama present in these movies fit in a purely satirical context, but lately many high school movies attempt to convey “important coming of age” messages to their audiences, opening speculation about whether it’s possible to relay didactic messages with any integrity through a genre typically so far from reality, especially in light of the interests of its current intended audience ( Generation Z.)
A Closer Look- Tall Girl
On September 13th, 2019, Netflix released one of its most controversial movies of this genre. Tall Girl is a typical adolescent rom com except that- and here’s where things get interesting folks- the protagonist is over the average woman’s height.
Synopsis:
Tall girl follows 16 year old Jodi, who has been chastised her whole life for being tall. Her sister is a beauty queen and her parents are incompetent. Everything in her home looks like your rich cousin bought it at Ikea. Naturally there’s a catty antagonist: Kimmy is your average mean girl who ( for seemingly no reason whatsoever) hates Jodi. Time and time again she mocks her for her height. Jodi is insecure. She is afraid that men will always be intimidated by her size and that no one will ever like her. This is ironic, since her token wiry nerd best friend makes it painfully clear several times that he is love with her. When Swedish (and taller than her) exchange student Steig shows up, she is instantly smitten. He dates Kimmy, she pines...etc. Eventually they get together for a short amount of time but Steig screws up, prioritizing social status over Jodi. As per high school romcom custom, there is a school dance, and in swoops nerdy best friend Jack Dunkleman, who tells Jodi to stand tall, and stands on top of a milk crate to kiss her.
Tall girl follows 16 year old Jodi, who has been chastised her whole life for being tall. Her sister is a beauty queen and her parents are incompetent. Everything in her home looks like your rich cousin bought it at Ikea. Naturally there’s a catty antagonist: Kimmy is your average mean girl who ( for seemingly no reason whatsoever) hates Jodi. Time and time again she mocks her for her height. Jodi is insecure. She is afraid that men will always be intimidated by her size and that no one will ever like her. This is ironic, since her token wiry nerd best friend makes it painfully clear several times that he is love with her. When Swedish (and taller than her) exchange student Steig shows up, she is instantly smitten. He dates Kimmy, she pines...etc. Eventually they get together for a short amount of time but Steig screws up, prioritizing social status over Jodi. As per high school romcom custom, there is a school dance, and in swoops nerdy best friend Jack Dunkleman, who tells Jodi to stand tall, and stands on top of a milk crate to kiss her.
Immediately after its release, Tall Girl inspired heated controversy. The main point? While the message of loving your “flaws” is always a good one, is it relevant when the person presented as flawed looks like this?
ln a feeble attempt at inclusion, Netflix managed to cast yet another thin blonde ingenue. In a thoughtless effort to challenge beauty standards, Tall Girl has simply reinforced them. If Ava Michelle ( a model ) is flawed, what does that say about the average person?
Generation Z
The main demographic bringing these issues to light is the intended audience for movies like Tall Girl: Generation Z. While high school movies like this one may have been better received in past generations, many see the genre as irrelevant in the context of the issues faced by teenagers today. In a review of Tall Girl in the New York Times, Elisabeth Vincentelli writes, “ America’s mood has changed, and many viewers might not feel much empathy for the small-minded grievances of wealthy teens who drive to school in S.U.V.s.”
In light of all the issues faced by youth today, from climate change to school shootings, the grievances of a privileged white girl who just happens to be a little on the taller side may not seem entirely relevant. Students across America are marching for their lives and organizing fundraisers to protect the planet while "Jodi Kreyman" is...trying on high heels.
I interviewed three high school students about this genre, and here’s what they had to say:
The main demographic bringing these issues to light is the intended audience for movies like Tall Girl: Generation Z. While high school movies like this one may have been better received in past generations, many see the genre as irrelevant in the context of the issues faced by teenagers today. In a review of Tall Girl in the New York Times, Elisabeth Vincentelli writes, “ America’s mood has changed, and many viewers might not feel much empathy for the small-minded grievances of wealthy teens who drive to school in S.U.V.s.”
In light of all the issues faced by youth today, from climate change to school shootings, the grievances of a privileged white girl who just happens to be a little on the taller side may not seem entirely relevant. Students across America are marching for their lives and organizing fundraisers to protect the planet while "Jodi Kreyman" is...trying on high heels.
I interviewed three high school students about this genre, and here’s what they had to say:
1.
Do you like this genre?
“I honestly don't hate it. I think it has its place - i feel like these movies have moments when they’re fun but I don't think that they are like, my favorite genre- I don’t watch them for meaningful content. “
Do you think that high school romcoms accurately represent the high school experience?
“No. I don’t think they represent my experience well. I don't know anyone who relates to high school romcoms- they aren’t what high school looks like- they are an idealized fantasy of what high school could look like. I don’t know anyone who is living that kind of life. “
Do you think this genre is capable of relaying meaningful and inclusive messages to youth?
“Yeah I think so on a basic level. I don’t think everything they’re doing is particularly insidious, but I also don’t think it’s particularly - like they’re not a shining beacon of hope that’s gonna save the youth- they’re just not that deep.”
What do you think could be improved upon in order to increase the accuracy?
“I mean they could hire teen actors and not 30 year olds. No one believes that Noa Centineo is anything less than 45.”
Do you like this genre?
“I honestly don't hate it. I think it has its place - i feel like these movies have moments when they’re fun but I don't think that they are like, my favorite genre- I don’t watch them for meaningful content. “
Do you think that high school romcoms accurately represent the high school experience?
“No. I don’t think they represent my experience well. I don't know anyone who relates to high school romcoms- they aren’t what high school looks like- they are an idealized fantasy of what high school could look like. I don’t know anyone who is living that kind of life. “
Do you think this genre is capable of relaying meaningful and inclusive messages to youth?
“Yeah I think so on a basic level. I don’t think everything they’re doing is particularly insidious, but I also don’t think it’s particularly - like they’re not a shining beacon of hope that’s gonna save the youth- they’re just not that deep.”
What do you think could be improved upon in order to increase the accuracy?
“I mean they could hire teen actors and not 30 year olds. No one believes that Noa Centineo is anything less than 45.”
2.
Do you like this genre?
“It isn’t inherently a bad genre but as an enomile - as the only available option for high school movies- than it doesn’t provide the widest range of experiences. But inherently it’s not a bad concept.”
Do you think that high school romcoms accurately represent the high school experience?
“No. obviously there’s such a wide range of social interactions that varies between high schoolers. If every high school rom com has the same plot than no. With such a wide range of experience it doesn’t make sense.”
Do you think this genre is capable of relaying meaningful and inclusive messages to youth?
“Yeah. Like not as it’s currently enacted - like not with the same plotline- the dude gets girl...etc but high school movies/romcoms aren’t an inherently bad genre.”
What do you think could be improved upon in order to increase the accuracy?
“I really have no clue except for maybe implementing more different stories- it's probably not one specific fix - like a bunch of different stories to convey the wide range of experiences we have.”
Do you like this genre?
“It isn’t inherently a bad genre but as an enomile - as the only available option for high school movies- than it doesn’t provide the widest range of experiences. But inherently it’s not a bad concept.”
Do you think that high school romcoms accurately represent the high school experience?
“No. obviously there’s such a wide range of social interactions that varies between high schoolers. If every high school rom com has the same plot than no. With such a wide range of experience it doesn’t make sense.”
Do you think this genre is capable of relaying meaningful and inclusive messages to youth?
“Yeah. Like not as it’s currently enacted - like not with the same plotline- the dude gets girl...etc but high school movies/romcoms aren’t an inherently bad genre.”
What do you think could be improved upon in order to increase the accuracy?
“I really have no clue except for maybe implementing more different stories- it's probably not one specific fix - like a bunch of different stories to convey the wide range of experiences we have.”
3.
Do you like this genre?
“Um...It’s entertaining because it’s bad. “
Do you think that high school romcoms accurately represent the high school experience?
“No because there’s usually some weird and creepy stuff. There are often mean girls, and like-only rich people are represented. Like middle class people are far more interesting. No one wants to hear about your party TIFFANY at your six story house. My house is tiny! So like only the upper class is represented- definitely mostly white people- and gay stereotypes- like the only lesbian is all “ I’m dead inside and I wear flannels and I skate and I’ve shaved my head.” Also there are usually dangerous or questionable relationship dynamics going on in these movies.”
Do you think this genre is capable of relaying meaningful and inclusive messages to youth?
“ Yes because that’s who watches it. There are some movies that do this well like Booksmart, or the Edge of Seventeen. If you make a movie with really good representation someone out there is going to be able to relate to it and love themselves. Like in to All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, that was the first time I’d seen an asian girl who looks like she’s my age like ever in these movies. “
What do you think could be improved upon in order to increase the accuracy?
“ Um just being honest- like taking notes on authentic stories. Those are the stories that win Oscars.”
Do you like this genre?
“Um...It’s entertaining because it’s bad. “
Do you think that high school romcoms accurately represent the high school experience?
“No because there’s usually some weird and creepy stuff. There are often mean girls, and like-only rich people are represented. Like middle class people are far more interesting. No one wants to hear about your party TIFFANY at your six story house. My house is tiny! So like only the upper class is represented- definitely mostly white people- and gay stereotypes- like the only lesbian is all “ I’m dead inside and I wear flannels and I skate and I’ve shaved my head.” Also there are usually dangerous or questionable relationship dynamics going on in these movies.”
Do you think this genre is capable of relaying meaningful and inclusive messages to youth?
“ Yes because that’s who watches it. There are some movies that do this well like Booksmart, or the Edge of Seventeen. If you make a movie with really good representation someone out there is going to be able to relate to it and love themselves. Like in to All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, that was the first time I’d seen an asian girl who looks like she’s my age like ever in these movies. “
What do you think could be improved upon in order to increase the accuracy?
“ Um just being honest- like taking notes on authentic stories. Those are the stories that win Oscars.”