Theater Camp

I had not heard one thing about this movie.

I'd already seen Oppenheimer, Barbie, Mission: Impossible, and Sound of Freedom, so on a whim, I booked myself a double feature in a cool theatre on this hot summer day.

First up - another movie I knew nothing about: Shortcomings. An enjoyable R-rated movie.

Next: Theater Camp. I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into when it started, but Searchlight movies tend to be bring me joy in a variety of ways. Theater Camp did not disappoint. There were some great laughs, great performances (I never cease to be amazed by how much talent kids of all ages and sizes can have!!), and a great ending.

Theater Camp should be on your radar to go see. Enjoy!

Very funny mockumentary. Fortunately, my watching experience was also great because the theater was full of laughter. Seems like a lot of people like it too. Really don't understand why people don't find this movie funny.

I will say tho, there's no super deep, poetical, metaphorical story behind it. So just don't expect coming out of it with a new revelation or question about life. Just take it at face value. It's a funny movie. Set at a theater camp. With talented kids. And talented teachers and stage men. Some really great music pieces. With normal level of daily drama sprinkled through out. And lots of laughs and weird antics.

It's enjoyable and heartwarming. Which i think is just how mockumentary usually feels. And that's enough as a perfect summer movie! And i honestly don't think this is fully targeted for adults.

I'm not opposed if they adopt this as a tv series. I think that will be really enjoyable to stream.

Many people love live theater. Even so, as non-actors, singers, or dancers themselves, many admire the finished product only, without considering all the hard work that goes into productions. My daughter and niece were theater kids growing up, so I get the "that was my life" connection, maybe more than most.

This movie will resonate with some people, but for many it will miss the mark. Sadly, it's a sweetly intended, behind-the-scenes, mockumentary style look at a world that not everyone can relate to, or will be interested in. I appreciate the efforts by the kids, but thought the story was a bit lacking, and the characters a little stereotypically overdone. That said, it's not a bad film, just not what I was expecting or hoping for.

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.

Joan Rubinsky is the co-founder of a theater camp and during one of the show, she has a seizure which puts her in a coma. Her son Troy takes over the camp and finds it hard to belong there as bonding with the staff as well as the kids turns out to be a real challenge. They prepare to perform a new musical based on the life of Joan while Troy struggles to raise enough money to save the place. The sub-plot also involves the two teachers Amos and Rebecca, who are behind the musical and their career differences take a toll on their relationship. Despite all the odds, how the kids end up performing the show and will Troy be able to save the place forms rest of the story.

Initially I did find it hard to get on board with the narrative with it entirely being the off screen life of these kids as well as the camp runners, basically life of theater artists and their antics. But I got used to it on time enough to buy into the narrative. Sure, the writing felt superficial as the financial concern and how it was dealt it was downplayed along with the subplots involving the staffers, where their issues were resolved too easily. But the entire third act and the musical play itself worked it's charm. Overall, it was definitely a decent watch.