Struck by Lightning

This film tells the story of a young man in high school, who has set his sight at a certain university to do a specific programming. On order to increase his chances of getting in, he has to use everything he knows of to get people to contribute essays for his newly created literary magazine.

The plot may sound fun and interesting, but it turns out to be not as funny as I expected it to be. The plot is plainly delivered, without dramatic moments or laugh out loud moments. Not even Rebel Wilson can make it funny! The only saving grace is Alison Janney, who is good as a single mother destroyed by a failed marriage. Maybe "Struck By Lightning" relies on dark humour, but it's not dramatic or engaging enough to work

OK, so the whole part about being struck by lightning and dying is very silly and pointless to the whole story. It literally serves no purpose to the rest of the story. It seems the ending (which was shown in the beginning also just to set the fence around the movie) could have been anything, literally anything and the movie would have worked fine. He could have gone to college and it would have sent identical message.

So, anyways, moving past the ridiculous end, the story is good, the acting is good and I really like the way Chris Colfer manages to convey strong dialogs without making it seem over dramatic. He seems genuine. So points to him for that.

It is not a flawless film by any means, but few are. However it does address something that few movies about high school do; which is the dichotomy between students who live in the moment and think those years are the end all and be all, and those who see it as a finite time to get through for the longer (and hopefully better) future.

The main character's tragedy (among many) is not his ultimate fate but in that in seeking to get though the school years and not enjoying them (or what little there is to find happiness in) misses it, by being focused solely by getting out.

In contrast the other teenage characters (Rebel Wilson's being an exception) have blinders on; in terms of both acceptance of other people and of the existence of the larger world and that they will have to enter it and so forth.

Are there clichés? Yes, but high school students are much the same everywhere so that is an issue of reality and life and not the limitations of the screenwriter.

Are the scenes between Carson and the adults more compelling? Of course, but that is because adults by definition have more life experience (good and bad) to make them more intriguing.

Ultimately, the movie's flaws are minor compared to the whole. It is smart, dead on in observation (especially in regards to the parental and authority figures interaction with Carson and family dynamics), and the casting is brilliant, with one exception.

That would be Dylan McDermotte. Who, besides their mothers, can tell him apart from Dermut Mulroney?

I had no expectation at all when I started the movie, all I knew was Kurt Hummel (I am a gleek!) played it. The movie is not excellent, but it won't make you fast forward it. The story is clever and inspiring. I love how I can see the different side from Chris Colfer can be (As I am a gleek, easy to make comparison.) Without the fancy clothes of Kurt, fierce diva mode-off Chris actually can leak out his acting talent, something we can't see often.

At last, the roller came up, written by Chris, I can't believe it, and had second thought, no wonder the plot and the attitude release a sense of freshness. I just love Chris more , not only his voice anymore.

This film wasn't what I was expecting - but still enjoyed it.

A warning - don't expect it to be like Glee, it won't leave you feeling uplifted at the end. Having seen the trailer and Rebel Wilson, I assumed this was going to be a comedy, but its actually quite tragic and sad - there are few laughs though.

It actually reminds me of the film 'Orange County' (with Colin Hanks and Jack Black). Carson like Hank's character is trying to escape his difficult family circumstances and go to college and then on to a successful career. Orange County is a little more light hearted though.

Its a good effort by Chris Colfer and out of all the Glee cast I can see him being the most successful. He could be another Ryan Murphy in the making - only nice.