The Wise Kids is an excellent exploration of faith and identity, a low key film that avoids the melodrama typical of films that address the subjects it does. It would probably be especially of interest to young adults who have grown up in a conservative Christian setting they no longer feel connected to in the way they once did.
The characters and situations are real enough that the film at times almost feels like a documentary. There are a few scenes that were uncomfortable to watch because of the almost goofy faith based happiness of the characters or characters attempting to connect with others but not having the social skills to pull it off.
Most movies dealing with questions of faith and sexuality resort to carefully written speeches of revelation to tell how their characters are feeling. The Wise Kids uses few words, quiet cues, and occasional flustered statements to reveal what's going on in the characters hearts and minds.
Another unusual thing about the Wise Kids is that no one of faith is portrayed as wrong in their views. It's also not a propaganda film in that no way of viewing life is shown as being better than the other.
My only caveat with the Wise Kids is though it's well worth seeing it's not particularly memorable. The film sort of feels like a pleasant weekend visiting your family, nice but it just blends in with other nice visits. Some of my lack of impression may have to do with my age. Though the Wise Kids isn't meant to be a young adult movie I know that had I seen this film in my 20s it would probably have been a film I'd have watched many times.
The characters and situations are real enough that the film at times almost feels like a documentary. There are a few scenes that were uncomfortable to watch because of the almost goofy faith based happiness of the characters or characters attempting to connect with others but not having the social skills to pull it off.
Most movies dealing with questions of faith and sexuality resort to carefully written speeches of revelation to tell how their characters are feeling. The Wise Kids uses few words, quiet cues, and occasional flustered statements to reveal what's going on in the characters hearts and minds.
Another unusual thing about the Wise Kids is that no one of faith is portrayed as wrong in their views. It's also not a propaganda film in that no way of viewing life is shown as being better than the other.
My only caveat with the Wise Kids is though it's well worth seeing it's not particularly memorable. The film sort of feels like a pleasant weekend visiting your family, nice but it just blends in with other nice visits. Some of my lack of impression may have to do with my age. Though the Wise Kids isn't meant to be a young adult movie I know that had I seen this film in my 20s it would probably have been a film I'd have watched many times.