Theater Camp

Theater Camp is a great mockumentary that's constantly mining cringe for solid laughs. It's got just as much gleeful cynicism as it does real heart for a winning combination. Obviously it'll work better for theatre people but that doesn't mean it's even remotely inaccessible to anyone who isn't.

All the adults here get to show off their genuine love of performance whilst also sending themselves up in terrific fashion. While they're doing that the film offers a showcase for an immensely talented set of child actors who are all impressive performers with some superb comedic timing.

As directors, Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman use the mockumentary techniques pretty effectively, when it actually remembers it's a mockumentary. All the intertitles add so much, it's the ideal run time and it culminates in the performance of Joan, Still which gets some of the best laughs before culminating in a wonderfully heartfelt moment.

I loved this movie! I went to a Mystery Movie Night to see it, and most people around me were enjoying it- so I'm not sure why it's getting so much negativity. I laughed and laughed! It was wonderful to see true representation of theater kids and the glories and dysfunctions of this kind of group. I think a lot of people giving negative reviews do not know or appreciate the joy and diversity included in this most glorious group of humanity! I laughed, rolled my eyes, winced, and even cried. It is obviously for a niche group- but if you love theater or musicals, this movie is for you! It would be a great outing for a drama club to enjoy it and laugh together.

... Idk maybe I'm a closeted Theatre guy, if u get my drift haha but ya, it just worked for me - basically it reminded me of one of the old ensemble casted Christopher Guest films, ya know with Eugene Levy and all the staple players - you remember right? Those fabulously fun mockumetararies? - and I've long regarded Ben Platt as one of the all time great voices (I'm certain I'm not alone in this, but I don't follow the musical theater zeitgeist) and although this doesn't showcase his musical prowess per se, it does use him effectively in a comedic role and it just works - I highly recommend it and YES I only gave it an 8 but that's only because I never give tens and 9s are reserved for films that are truely extraordinary (and Rick and Morty haha) anyway enjoy.

IN A NUTSHELL:

I used to take dance, singing, and theater classes when I was a little girl and into my teens, so I really got a kick out of this movie. It's about an eccentric staff of a rundown theater camp in upstate New York during a summer when the founder's stroke put her in a coma. Her "bro-y" son had to figure out how to keep the camp afloat in her absence as the financial future of the camp is hanging in the balance.

The entertaining film was written and directed by Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman with additional writing help from Noah Galvin. This is Molly's and Nick's directorial debut. They, clearly, had a blast putting this movie together. It makes for a fun summer movie.

The movie has already won "Best Ensemble" at the Sundance Film Festival. It was also nominated for other awards at other film festivals at Sundance, SXSW, and Seattle International.

THINGS I LIKED:

More Ben Platt, please! I just love his voice. He and Noah Galvin are a couple in real life. They both played the starring role in Dear Evan Hansen. Such a great stage play and movie!

The rest of the talented cast includes Caroline Aaron, Nathan Lee Graham, Molly Gordon, Jimmy Tatro, Patti Harrison, Amy Sedaris, and so many young kids who just got their break in movies!

There are some truly talented kids in the movie.

The story is filmed like a mockumentary and absolutely doesn't take itself too seriously.

There is a lot of spoken and visual humor. Thespians will be the ones that enjoy it the most.

The cards on the screen give us entertaining and often hilarious background information during the entire movie.

The ending is actually really sweet and touching.

We get to hear a lot of original music with amusing lyrics.

Fun fact #1: The film was shot in only 19 days, resulting in a whopping 70 hours of footage! It must have been painful to try to weed through all of the footage and cut so much out.

Fun fact #2: They filmed the movie at the URJ Kutz camp in Warwick, New York. Sadly, the camp is now closed, another reminder that we need to help support our local companies and the arts.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:

Act 1 establishes the characters and the goofiness, but the plot really doesn't present itself until Act 3 when it's quickly resolved.

People who aren't into musical theater or plays might not think the humor is very funny.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Profanity, including an F-bomb Visual and spoken jokes about doing cocaine.

Lots of children and adults in the LGBTQ+ community are represented.

Theater Camp is a very funny modern take on the mockumentary style. For me, it is reminiscent of What We Do in the Shadows kind of humor. It pokes fun at everyone; there is no traditional everyman.

Both ends of the spectrum are laughed at. We get jokes at the expense of influencer, bro-ey type guys, and also the classic, quirky, theater-obsessed kids. I think thats part of what made it so enjoyable. EVERYONE was made into a satirical hyperbole of a cliché we all know.

The story was nice, too. It takes you all over the place and ties together in the end for a cute, and still funny, conclusion.

It really doesn't take itself too seriously, and is a very sweet watch.