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

Carson Phillips (Chris Colfer) is a high school agitator. He runs the school newspaper where nobody other than him has submitted any stories. He is the school outcast, and he hatches a plan to blackmail everybody to submit stories to his literary magazine.

I love the cast in this movie, but Chris Colfer really needs to rework this story. It rambles on, all the while we know the guy is going to die by lightning strike. The story feels underdeveloped, and in the end pointless. While I love the actors, the characters are all very 2 dimensional. Chris Colfer's character comes off as too whiny and too angry. He is so myopic that he doesn't even realize he has a friend. I love Rebel Wilson, but she isn't allowed the freedom to go crazy. The whole thing is one big woe-is-me. As a black comedy, it doesn't get very deep and it really doesn't get very funny.

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?

Struck by Lightning hit me hard, it touched me, made me laugh and left me relieved when it was finished. I have to say it was actually Rebel Wilson that made me want to watch this movie. She's as always hilarious no matter what she does. Chris Colfer is definitely one of the best young actors in Hollywood today and i think that the idea he had with Struck By Lightning came through in the end. Its about not standing back and not to let others push you around. To do everything you can to ensure your future (it is after all survival of the fittest). You won't be wasting your time...if you're into teen movies this is a must see. If they keep making movies like this I think there'll be a bright future ahead.

Struck By Lightning was perfect on all levels, I can't believe how much I related to Carson; he is definitely one of my new favourite fictional characters ever. As an aspiring author myself, this film was so inspiring for me in terms of writing, it's really made me want to get out there and achieve my goals and not end up in a terrible life that I don't like. This film, although with the unrealistic storyline, was still so realistic on so many levels and I think this will remain a lifelong favourite of mine. Chris is so talented on so many levels.

I cannot wait for this to be released on DVD in this country so I can keep it forever.

As a big fan of his television show, Glee, I immediately fell in love with Chris and his character there. I also, as well as Kurt Hummel, identify myself with Carson so much. I am so glad that I saw this film.