I'm not sure what it is and maybe I'm blinded by childhood nostalgia, but this movie has something different. Compared to other TV movies this one has surprisingly decent acting, musical numbers pertinent to the plot and not just bursting into song whenever (although there are a couple of songs like that); and lastly a very subtle sort of foreshadowing in the content of the songs they are singing. I never really paid much attention to all the lyrics of the songs but they describe exactly how the characters are without having to tell us. They surprisingly respect the "show don't tell" rule in that aspect.
The message is loud and clear, there's no misinterpretation and that's great for kids. It has uplifiting and feel-good beats to it as well as breaking with the norm and the cliques in high school teaching the younger audiences to be themselves and to not simply choose between black and white. It's a good message enhanced by decent performances with surprisingly decent dialogue and good pacing. I know with what I said it sounds like the movie has nothing wrong to it but maybe I'm sort of biased due to the nostalgia trip it carries everytime I watch it.
For new viewers I say this: don't take it too seriously, I mean, it's not oscar worthy at all and wasn't meant to be released in theaters and therefore had a tight budget. It delivers in what it's selling: an endearing story of a couple who want to be together doing what they love and being who they want to be, struggling to make the rest of the people in their lives see that too. Only enhanced by upbeat and well choreographed music and funny side characters like teachers and other students. A fun watch
