A Book Review: Me and You by Niccolo Ammaniti

Once you`ve thought something, what need is there to say it aloud?

Back in 2008, I saw an Italian Coming-of-Age film based on a novel by Niccolò Ammaniti. Its title: I’m Not Scared. My enjoyment of the film made me wish to read the novel it was based upon, but, unfortunately, this never happened. That’s probably the reason I chose Me and You – another novel by the same author, this one published in 2010. The cover art and the summary promised another Coming-of-Age story, and this time I was not going to miss the opportunity to read it.

The novel tells the story of Lorenzo, an introverted 14-year-old boy from Rome who has trouble fitting in. He is intelligent, with a vivid imagination, yet introverted and even eccentric at times. Lorenzo does not want to blend in with “the others” but has learned to act as if he does. This way, he can avoid unnecessary attention.

The fact that Lorenzo has no friends worries his parents. Concerned about his mental health, they even arrange for him to visit a psychologist, but the teen has a plan of how to end that arrangement quickly:

“I would pretend to be a normal kid with problems. It wouldn’t take much to trick him. I knew exactly how the others reasoned, what they liked, and what they wished for.”

Scene from the 2012 Italian drama film directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, based on the novel by Niccolò Ammaniti — A scene from the 2012 Italian drama film directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, based on the novel by Niccolò Ammaniti

Despite his introverted self – Lorenzo manages to navigate just fine through his childhood years, until the day that his parents decide that he had enough of the exclusive private school for a spoiled kid and decide to enrol him in a public high school, hoping that this will help him socialize and adapt. They could not have been more wrong:

“When I walked up to the entrance of the high school on my first day I almost fainted. It was hell on earth. There were hundreds of kids. It felt like I was standing outside the gates of a rock concert. Some of them were way bigger than me. They even had beards. The girls had tits. “

So Lorenzo begins “acting out” to get out of school, if that’s even possible. Then he decides on a new tactic: fitting in by imitating his classmates (like a fly that avoids their attacks by camouflaging itself as a wasp). This works for a while, but Lorenzo’s parents are still anxious about their son’s future. Recognizing that, Lorenzo makes up a story and tells them that he has been invited on a week-long ski vacation by one of the popular girls in his class. Instead, he plans to spend the whole week hidden away in a forgotten cellar in his family’s apartment building. His plan works for a while:

“I loved it here. If they brought me food and water, I could spend the rest of my life here. And I realized that if I ever ended up in solitary confinement in prison I would be as happy as a pig in shit.”

Then his estranged half-sister, Olivia, unexpectedly shows up in his den (the cellar) – and his self-created sanctuary starts falling apart.

While the first-person narrative does not feature exciting twists and turns (except at the novel’s very end), it offers perceptive insights into the young character personality, which facilitates one’s identification with him. That’s especially true for introverted readers (like myself). As a Coming-of-Age novel, it reaches the viewer on a personal, almost intimate, level while addressing subjects such as childhood and lost innocence, among others.

Me and You is short in length yet is an engaging novel managing to portray the angst of being different and, as each of us is different in our own ways, it’s guaranteed that one will find a trait in Lorenzo with which to associate. It’s a simple, truthful story about human nature, and that’s where its charm lies. Recommended!

The book and its Audio Version are available at Amazon.com.

Boarding School (2018)

Boaz Yakin’s 2017 movie, Boarding School, relates the story of Jacob (Luke Prael), a distressed young boy of Jewish descent who becomes fascinated with his dead grandmother’s persona and is sent to a secluded boarding school for misfits. Initially, the film appears to be a Coming-of-Age psychodrama, but it shapes into something completely distinct once the story starts developing.

Although the acting is not remarkable, seemingly almost forced at times, and one can become bewildered by the plot’s weirdness, the story nevertheless manages to engage. As if in a lunatic dream, a bizarre puzzle of the film’s characters’ peculiar traits is revealed with each successive scene. This doesn’t always work to the audience’s advantage, as one of the film’s protagonists states, “The less you know, the better.”

Boarding school has its fair share of odd characters – but none of them is well developed.

The atmosphere is purposefully gloomy, the score typical for a horror flick. Rather, sooner than later, one realizes that the Coming-of-Age film Boarding School has somehow turned into a slasher film. A movie complete with jump-scares, violence and even a heroine-like figure, as the young boy, runs around in a dress for most of the film’s duration.

Suppose this was done to portray ambiguous gender identity (like in Rebekah Fortune‘s Just Charlie or Anne Fontaine‘s 2017 drama Reinventing Marvin, the plot might have made a bit of sense. Instead, we have almost supernatural origins that motivate the film’s protagonist and tying into a poorly integrated subplot about the Holocaust.

Boarding School Official Trailer

The plot might be twisted, the scenes disturbing, and yet, at no time does the viewer identify with or even care about any of the film’s characters. That’s an unforgivable sin in a film with a young central lead and with a narrative that at least partly belongs to the Coming-of-Age genre. One gets nothing out of the film and is likely to forget it as soon as the final credits roll (which takes a while as Boarding School’s run time is just short of two hours.

Coming-of-Age horror films are quite rare, but even this fact does not really justify the loss of one’s time caused by watching Boarding School. If you are determined to watch a horror flick with rite-of-passage overtones, you would be better off picking another – such as any of the ones included in our Top 10 Kids of Horror article.

[imdb]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6224502/reference[/imdb]

Boarding School (2018)

Conclusion

While initially, this film appears to be a Coming-of-Age psychodrama, it shapes into something completely different once the story starts developing.

1.2

Our rating

Watch the film now

Amazon.com

Book Review: The Misfits by James Howe

The Misfits by James Howe tells the story of four best friends in the 7th grade who try to put an end to name calling in their middle school. The “ Gang of Five“, as they call themselves, is as compelling as its members: a smart, outspoken girl passionately aiming to put an end to world injustices, a gay middle-schooler confident and happy with himself, a kid whose fashion choices, personal hygiene and attitude have him branded as a school hooligan and last, but not least, the slightly overweight go-along-to-get-along Bobby. And if you wonder why they are called The Gang of Five when they are just four, here is the explanation in Bobby’s words:

Kids who get called the worst names oftentimes find each other. That’s how it was with us, Skeezie Tookis and Addie Carle and Joe Bunch and me. We call ourselves the Gang of Five, but there are only four of us. We do it to keep people on their toes. Make ’em wonder.

James Howe wastes no time introducing Bobby, the young boy who will be narrating the story directly to the readers. This peculiar manner of storytelling makes the reader feel as if Bobby is a friend of his (hers), making sure that we are up to date with the latest happenings in Paintbrush Falls Middle School.

Sometimes Bobby may appear as naive, at other times he appears wise beyond his years. But not even for a moment does he sound false on account of the fact that it is an adult author who is putting the words and thoughts in Bobby’s mind.

While this may not be the best revelation about my own personality, Bobby’s observations about girls, love and everything related is just how I feel in this day and age – and at more than twice his age.

James Howe discusses being a “Misfit” with interviewer Tim Podell

So engaging is the story, that following the action and getting to know each of the characters along with their unique traits, quirks, and personalities becomes a real wholesome experience. The novel undoubtedly fits in the Coming-of-Age genre, and that is not just because of the age of its protagonist. Bobby learns about himself and life by observing the people around him, sometimes coming to not too pleasant conclusions such as:

“I know about Mr. Keller-man and even my own father gets me to wondering if “not a happy person” is part of the definition of “adult.”

Before purchasing the book, I enjoyed its audio version – thrilled by the fun and professional recording by many young artists whose voices and vivid performances brought their respective characters to life. There are a lot of humorous happenings or thoughts in the book as it is and, hearing them in such a lively manner, significantly boosts the story’s entertainment value.

Recommended for anyone aged ten and up, The Misfits by James Howe is a great read with a lot of positive, inspirational and empowering messages embedded. I have read some critiques that expressed concerns related to the sexual orientation of one of the characters and the fact that it is not addressed as a problem. I believe that such critiques have missed the point completely, as The Misfits read by preteen readers, is guaranteed to make them better human beings. I don’t hesitate to recommend the book and am sure of your enjoyment reading it.

Audio Sample from Full Cast Audio

Get the Book at Amazon.com

Just Like Dad (1995)

The 1995 American film Just Like Dad does not shine with an original or poignant storyline, yet its easy going family-friendly nature turns it into a perfect choice for a laid back Sunday afternoon. Made for TV and directed by Blair Treu, the movie tells the story of twelve year old Charlie (Ben Diskin).

Charlie’s small stature and wimpy looks turn him into an ideal target for the school bullies, and while he is not the only kid being bullied (his best friend Sherwood (Jarrett Lennon) is frequently subjected to similar treatment), he is desperately seeking a way out. Unfortunately for Charlie, his dad (Wallace Shawn) is a nerdy scientist, bullied on his own by his colleagues at work. His dad’s solution is to pay the bullies so they will leave him alone.

Seeing no other solution for his problems, Charlie decides that the only way to achieve a better status at school is to win the father-son completions at the next school picnic. As his own dad is anything but athletic, Charlie decides to recruit a pretend father from the local bodybuilding club as a substitute. He is successful in that undertaking, but then things do not go exactly as planned.

Just Like Dad – Trailer

The film does include Coming-of-Age motifs and with a good moral lesson (even if it feels bit forced on the audience), but probably its best feature is the acting performances.

Most notable are the performances of Ben Diskin and Jarrett Lennon (both actors are charismatic and interact well with each other). Although the film is categorized as comedy or melodrama, it doesn’t feature that many funny or melodramatic moments. And, when it does, they are of the light kind. This does not necessarily turn it into a bad flick as it manages to remain entertaining and never bores its viewers. Added bonuses are the scenes with computer usage, as the technology appeared so “advanced” in 1995 — not!

Just Like Dad is not likely to leave long-lasting memories in its audience, but it’s a good way to chill out in front of the TV. Young kids may also find it entertaining, as some of the scenes are shot with a naivety that I’m sure will appeal to them.

[imdb]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113502/reference[/imdb]

Just Like Dad (1995)

Summary

An easy going family-friendly flick that turns into a perfect choice for a laid back Sunday afternoon.

3.2

Our score

Get the DVD

Amazon.com

Gamechanger (2016)

On the way to work, a thirty-year-old man encounters two young boys playing war with their self-made toy guns. Something stirs inside the man and suddenly he finds himself joining the children’s game. Completely wrapped up in the action, the man (thanks to his superior life experience) changes the rules of the game, which soon causes him to lose his grip on reality.

Whereas there is no doubt that the loss of one’s innocence is a central theme for the film (that can be argued for the kids and even the man in more abstract terms), underneath there is a warning of the dangers of pretending and not acting one`s real age. Message understood (Anti Peter-Pan Syndrome), yet sometimes warnings are easy to dismiss.

The plot of the Dutch short film Gamechanger is void of clichés, which enhances one`s viewing experience by boosting the uncertainty of what is going to happen next. As a result, the tension levels automatically rise. Hand-held camera techniques and excellent sound design (reminiscent of Jason Lapeyre and Robert Wilson in I Declare War ) – further enhances the believably factor and atmosphere of the action. Brilliantly directed by Christian van Duuren, Gamechanger is an impactful short film well worthy of anyone’s time.

[imdb]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5771750/reference[/imdb]

A book review : Greyhound by Steffan Piper

Occasionally a novel exceeds my expectations, and that is the case with Greyhound. Written by Steffan Piper, it tells the tale of twelve-year-old Sebastian Ranes, a young boy who finds himself alone on a Greyhound bus on a coast-to-coast journey across the United States.

With a distant mom, and an ever-changing succession of would be stepdads, being alone on a bus might have been the better variant for Sebastian who recalls his troublesome home life – making us understand that he had little to look forward to :

“…I was again an outsider on the edges of my mother’s love life. I was always more like an unwanted roommate than her son was. I knew it was only a matter of time before I’d be shuttled off to live somewhere else or beaten half to death, which had happened before and probably wasn’t yet out of the question…”

It is practically impossible not to sympathize with Sebastian as he recounts his story in a sincere tone allowing the reader to familiarize himself with his personality, with all of his naiveté, aspirations, hopes, and fears. Narrated in the first person, and filled with engaging inner dialogues, Greyhound could be seen as just a Coming-of-Age road-trip novel. But, in reality, the wisdom that is contained within its pages turns it into something different altogether.

During his cross-country journey, Sebastian encounters waiters, drivers, cops, clerks, maniacs and just “regular folk” among many other characters. Some treat him kindly, some are rude and some straight-out creep him out. It’s a crash course in surviving – as the interactions with them and his observations on the world around him play an important role in the shaping and developing of his character.

The most valuable life lessons for Sebastian come from his interactions and unlikely friendship with Marcus – a young black man recently released from prison, travelling to visit his mother in New York City. Genuinely interested in the fate of the young boy, Marcus becomes Sebastian’s first real friend and protector.

“…I felt strange talking with Marcus. I wasn’t hesitant to tell him what was on my mind. He was probably the only adult who had ever listened to me or asked me questions, or rather the only adult who asked me questions not related to some kind of trouble I was in…”

The story develops at a good pace and is filled with events throughout. Along the way, Sebastian becomes a victim of hijacking, sees dead people (alas not in the Sixth Sense manner), learns about poetry, music, friendship — and even a thing or two about girls and how to manage one’s feelings around them.

“…I admitted to Marcus that I thought she was the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen. He just laughed out loud and told me I’d feel that way about a lot of girls in the next few years and that it was perfectly natural. If I can tell you anything about girls, the one thing you need to remember—and never forget, he emphasized, is that you can’t choose who you’ll fall in love with….”

Although the action takes place in the span of only three days, for Sebastian the trip is a life changing experience. He is is initiated into the realities of life and his psychological and moral growth become evident even to himself:

“…Seeing myself in the mirror, I realized that even though I felt older, I was still twelve years old. I couldn’t quite recall how I’d felt getting on the bus, but I knew getting off that things would have to be at least a little different…”

Having a strong affinity for the Coming-of-Age genre, I truly enjoyed Steffan Piper’s Greyhound. Having spent a significant amount of time traveling by bus or train in my own childhood, some of the events or characters within the pages brought back memories – both pleasant and unpleasant — and I believe that most readers will feel somewhat enriched and enlightened alongside the novel’s protagonist. That’s often the result from the best Coming-of-Age movies and is even more profoundly felt after finishing a novel of the same nature.

Finally, yet importantly, it should be mentioned that I first enjoyed this novel in an audio-book format (Nick Podehl‘s narration is completely awesome and really enhances the story’s appeal). Yet, after finishing it as an audio-book, I decided to get a copy so I could highlight favorite passages. Reading the novel, immediately after having listened to it, felt as engaging as if I had opened it for the first time, as I was able to pick out a lot more of the subtle nuances from throughout the story. So, while I do suggest that anyone interested in the story first start with its audio version, I urge you to get a paper or digital copy as well. It’s well worth it.

I am William (2017)

The ten-year-old Danish boy William (Alexander Magnússon) has not had much luck in life. His father passed away, while his mother suffers from a mental illness that prevents her from taking care of her son. With both parents unavailable, it is lucky that there is an uncle who agrees to look after William’s well-being. However, uncle Niels (Rasmus Bjerg) is anything but a conventional adult – quirky, unstable (bi-polar perhaps), a con artist and, worst of all, a gambler. Yes, not exactly a role model for a sensitive and impressible young boy. So, since a role model is missing, William must find his own way and place in the world, which is a daunting task even for children with a luckier fate.

William (Alexander Magnússon) and his uncle (Rasmus Bjerg)

The motifs of bullying, first love and overcoming one’s fears, ever-present in the majority of Coming-of-Age films, are not treated with any particular originality in I am William. However, the film somehow manages to remain delightfully refreshing and engaging. It is not a masterpiece, but it is entertaining and features a pleasant, easy-going story. Like most Scandinavian lighthearted family flicks, one is entertained with funny looking scene cuts and some slightly bizarre scenes (such as an extreme close-up of a hen’s butt while laying an egg). That and the quirky behavior of some of the film’s protagonists (like William’s uncle for one) are the factors that boost the fun fairy tale like atmosphere of the picture.

Despite the easy-going story, character development does occur, as we witness how the happenings in the young protagonist’s life shape his personality. The charismatic appearance of Alexander Magnússon as William greatly influences the film’s appeal, especially considering that the story is told from the perspective of his character (often emphasized by the camera angles used in addition to the first-person narrative). Alexander is on screen in almost every scene. While one is unlikely to associate with the young boy, sympathizing with him and wishing him a lot of luck during his rite-of-passage adventure comes naturally to young and older viewers alike.

Trailer

An uplifting Coming-of-Age flick from Denmark based on the book of Kim Fupz Aakeson of the same name, I am William is a nice family-friendly film with a pleasant aesthetic and a lovable central character. You won’t be sorry for picking it up.

[imdb]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6183580/reference[/imdb]

I am William (2017)

Conclusion

An uplifting Coming-of-Age flick from Denmark, I am William is a nice family friendly film with a pleasant aesthetic and a lovable central character.

4.2

Our Rating

The Year I Became a Liar (2009)

Ricardo Trogi‘s The Year I Became a Liar is a delightful autobiographical Coming-of-Age movie narrated in the first person by its protagonist: 11-year-old Ricardo Trogi (Jean-Carl Boucher). The grown-up Ricardo recalls the story of his childhood utilizing a voice-over narration resembling that of the best Coming-of-Age film of 2015, Cider with Rosie. This approach greatly enhances the likelihood that the viewer will become familiar with the states of mind of the young protagonist and relate to the experiences of his childhood.

Ah…to be taken back to the time when the stories were told to impress girls (or, in some cases, boys), the desire to be accepted was so important and the newest technology (not the new i-Phone, but the miracle of Sony’s first “Walkman”) were the pillars around which one’s life revolved. Such nostalgic aspirations are expected and well served in this autographical movie, turning it into a real gem of the Coming-of-Age cinema genre. It was a time of change or, in Ricardo’s own words:

“…I had no toys. I’d thrown them all away. I was changing. I was getting interested in girls. I needed stuff that was flashy …”

*The Year I Became A Liar* is often considered a Canadian version of Little Nicholas

The story is both engaging and authentic from the opening scenes throughout its entire duration. Its charm lies in its apparent simplicity (although older viewers may notice the serious issues of social inequality, consumerism, and, in the case of Ricardo’s parents, the struggle to provide for the family) as well as thanks to the naivety and innocence of the young protagonist’s humorous nature.

When it comes to delightful Coming-of-Age films with original and engaging storytelling – the Canadian cinema, (especially those in the French language) has well established traditions. One just has to recall some of most notable flicks such as the 2012 I Declare War; It’s Not Me, I Swear! (C’est pas moi, je le jure!), Jacob Medjuck’s 2013 film Age of Summerhood and The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet (narrated in first person by its protagonist as well) to realize this fact. The Year I Became a Liar shares some of the best features of these films: first class production design, capable acting, clever editing and a captivating story.

Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY-mxIqEZZc

The musical score of The Year I Became A Liar enhances the scenes without calling too much attention to itself. The dialogue is funny and witty at times, and the finale brings in more surprises in the form of an original and fun montage. All-in-all I have no hesitation in recommending The Year I Became a Liar. It’s a heartwarming and original flick well-worth anyone’s time and guaranteed to please viewers of all ages.

[imdb]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1286159/reference[/imdb]

The Year I Became a Liar (2009)

Conclusion

A heartwarming and original flick well-worth anyone's time and guaranteed to please viewers of all ages.

5

Our Rating

Watch the film / English Subtitles

Amazon.com

And Then I Go (2017)

The gun-control debate is an ongoing issue in the US, which is why it does not come as a surprise when filmmakers decide to point their lens at it. One such example is Vincent Crashaw’s 2007 film, And Then I Go. Adapted from Jim Sheppard’s novel Project X, the film tells a story of teenage anguish, confusion, aspirations, failures, and ultimately loss of innocence, resulting in a contemporary and compelling Coming-of-Age drama.

Each of us can remember the confusion of our youthful years…when we want to fit in, but every so often meet a lack of understanding from peers and adults. These universal teenage traits make it easy to associate with the film’s protagonist Edwin (Arman Darbo), a socially awkward kid trying to navigate junior high alongside his only real friend Flake (Sawyer Barth).

From the film’s opening scene, featuring an insightful and intimate first-person narrative by Edwin about his life, the viewer is treated to a bit of information about his character to help understand Edwin’s personality while unveiling the motives behind his actions. The frustration, anger and confusion are ever-present on Arman Darbo’s face, which again demonstrates the importance an actor can have on a story – especially a character-based one like in And Then I Go. Lingering close-ups of his face and eyes make sure one gets insight into the young protagonist’s internal turmoil.

Arman Darbo and Sawyer Barth in And Then I Go

Cinematographically, the film has the feel of an independent art-house flick, thanks to creative usage of picture sequences, natural light sources and hand-held camera techniques. As in most reality-focused movies (think Larry Clark’s Kids), the buildup is slow-paced, but the film never becomes dull –providing the right amount of tension to keep the viewer’s attention invested in the story. That’s achieved thanks to the fact that the director addresses a social issue by focusing on his protagonist’s personal one, almost convincing viewers to justify their irrational life choices. Justifying, in this case, is morally wrong – yet no easy solutions are provided, and many questions are being raised.

My only complaint with the film lies in the overuse of musical motifs to the point where the score starts calling attention to itself rather than simply enchanting the scenes.

Arman Darbo in "And Then I Go" — Arman Darbo in “And Then I Go”

A realistic Coming-of-Age story with a finale void of clichés, And Then I Go is a harsh film that encourages its viewers to reflect on the story, its protagonists, and society as a whole. The topics it addresses may appear familiar to some, but the storytelling and the excellent acting performances are enough to justify the time invested in front of the screen.

And Then I Go (2017)

Conclusion

A story of teenage anguish, confusion, aspirations, failures, and ultimately loss of innocence, resulting in a contemporary and compelling Coming-of-Age drama.

4.2

Our Rating

Watch the film / get the DVD

Amazon.com

De Boskampi’s/Little Gangster (2015)

The best scenes in the 2015 Dutch film Little Gangster (Original title: De Boskampi’s) are at the beginning and the end. They contain vibrant images, a wild musical score and funny original editing — enough to convince the viewer that an original twist of the all too familiar anti-bullying theme will make the film truly enjoyable to watch.

But alas. For a film with a duration a little short of two hours – most of the content in between is cliché-ridden and silly.

The silly part comes from the desire of the filmmakers to make the story suitable for the youngest audiences. But, in this day and age, I’m convinced that the key to a well done film lies in originality, as proven by another film dealing with bullying, My Best Enemy (Original title: Min bedste fjende) (Denmark, 2010).

Trailer

_{Little Gangster screened at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016 and is now available on DVD and Netflix}

While most of the film’s content does not impress, the few good scenes, filled with witty humor and the message of reinventing oneself, friendship and determination, do come across well — in a non-preachy, family-friendly manner. That, despite the stereotypical characters and their amplified quirkiness (or may be because of it), is used as comedy relief.

Scene from little gangster — Scene from Little Gangster

The plot of the film will feel quite familiar to fans of the Coming-of-Age genre. Rikkie Boskamp (Thor Braun) is a twelve year old boy who is fed up with being bullied all the time. His father, Paul Boskamp (Henry van Loon), works as an accountant and, in Rikkie’s eyes, is as far from a role model as one can get. In fact, if anything, his “dorky” appeal influences Rikkie’s own image at school.

The teen then decides to take things into his own hands. His father gets a job promotion which necessitates them moving to a new town. Rikkie uses the move to a new city to reinvent himself… into the son of an Italian Mafia boss, Paolo Boskampi.

The biggest issue I have with the film lies in its lost potential. For example, if it had managed to retain throughout the picture the appeal of the visual effects and the editing of the 2010 Norwegian film by Arild Andresen, The Liverpool Goalie, all the imperfections of the story line could have been easily forgiven. But, sadly, that’s not the case and the film delivers a “dumbed down” kid’s story with few good moments – nothing more.

[imdb]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3845822/reference[/imdb]

De Boskampi’s/Little Gangster (2015)

Conclusion

A twelve year old boy, fed up with being bullied all the time, uses his family's move to a new city to reinvent himself: into the son of a Mafia chieftan.

3.2

Our Rating

Get the DVD

Amazon.com

Markus and Diana (1996)

If you are looking for an entertaining comedy with strong Coming-of-Age motifs, the Norwegian Markus and Diana (original title: Markus og Diana) is an excellent option.

Based upon Klaus Hagerup‘s novel Markus and Diana: The Light from Sirius and directed by Svein Scharffenberg, the film tells the story of the thirteen year old blond-haired Markus. The low stature and relative shyness of the young teen turns him into a preferred target for the jokes of his schoolmates who often compare him to a little mouse. Having an overprotective father who feels obligated to check on his son every few hours doesn’t help Marcus’s social status either.

Marcus’s hobby is to collect autographs from famous people and when he finds out about Diana Mortensen, who is a gorgeous Norwegian actress with a successful career in Hollywood, the boy doesn’t hesitate to write her a letter. Instead of a simple autograph request, the boy decides to introduce himself as a wealthy millionaire. To his surprise, he receives a personal reply and soon a friendship ensues. Marcus could not be happier until he learns that Diana Mortensen is planning to return to Norway and she is just dying to meet him in person.

Markus and his best friend Sigmund (Herman Bernhoft)

The film’s exposition is unremarkable, while the bullying issues that the young Norwegian boy faces may lead to one’s belief that the story is clichéd. Yet, twenty minutes into the film, the story shapes into a humorous adventure, shaking off all clichés in favor of original (if bittersweet) development. The focus shifts onto issues such as self-esteem and the inner emotional lives of unpopular kids and the film manages to deliver a real message without turning into preachy moralistic tale.

The film’s cinematography and score do not call attention to themselves, placing the film on par with many made for TV productions aimed at young audiences. Yet the tasteful humor and good performance of Robert Reierskog as Marcus ensures that older viewers will be equally engaged with his character and entertained by the story. A bonus for them is the references to the 1936 drama Little Lord Fauntleroy, which clearly influenced both the writer and director of this Norwegian movie.

While I would not consider Markus and Diana as a film with a significant re-watch value or one that is memorable, it is fresh and entertaining and I don’t hesitate to recommend it to audiences looking to brighten their days.

[imdb]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0129225/reference[/imdb]

Markus and Diana (1996)

Conclusion

An entertaining comedy with strong Coming-of-Age motifs.

3.3

Our Rating

Buy or rent the DVD

CVMC

Book review: Scar Island by Dan Gemeinhart

Twelve-year-old Jonathan Grisby is in a big trouble. Sentenced for a horrid crime, he is on his way to a reformatory school. And not just an ordinary one, but an ancient crumbling dark and foul place — an old crumbling fortress located on an isolated island. The school for young boys (or perhaps better said: “prison”) is run by an evil man who calls himself “The Admiral” and, together with his equally crooked staff, abuses his youthful charges on a daily basis with the excuse that he’s trying to reform them for the better and save their souls from evil. When a freak accident takes the lives of all the adult staff, the boys find themselves alone on the island. Yet their newfound freedom brings unexpected danger.

Author Dan Gemeinhart manages to maintain the suspense level in his novel by withholding pieces of important information, such as the nature of the crime that sent Jonathan Grisby to the Slabhenge Reformatory School. We witness the guilt ridden sorrow of the troubled boy, and can’t help but wonder if he will ever be able to find redemption.

It can be a bit challenging to place the action in the right time period. Because of the story’s nature, one may initially feel it is set in the Victorian Age, such as Dicken’s Oliver Twist, or perhaps in the early 50’s like William Golding‘s Lord of the Flies. Yet, at other times, the story feels quite contemporary.

Book Trailer

But the inconsistency of time does not ruin the reader’s experience, mainly because one develops a true interest in the characters. The young Jonathan Grisby is an intriguing main protagonist and, as his character develops, one begins to understand his motives and even perhaps begin to admire him — despite his shortcomings. Unfortunately, not all the characters in the novel are as well developed. An exception is another young boy named Colin, “a sneaky, sneaky thief” as he calls himself, with whom many readers will greatly sympathize, especially if one chooses the audio version of the novel. Hearing Colin’s lisp becomes a defining trait of his character, in quite an adorable manner.

Scar Island is a dark and compelling Coming-of-Age adventure and I really enjoyed it. Clearly inspired by Lord of the Flies, its narrative is fast paced and engaging, while the way in which the settings are described really helps one to feel the atmosphere of this God forsaken prison. Recommended!

TheSkyKid.com

TheSKyKid.com

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