DAYDREAM NATION

Sun 14th August | 4:00pm | Dendy Opera Quays

Dir: Michael Goldbach, Canada, 2010, 96 min | Kat Dennings, Josh Lucas, Andie McDowell | MA15+

Named after a Sonic Youth album, this is a compelling teen movie with attitude… and brains.

On paper, this is the archetypal teen movie. 17-year-old Caroline (Kat Dennings) moves from the big city to a small town (“with more incest than in an Atom Egoyan film”). Fitting into the new high-school proves predictably difficult, as is negotiating a complicated love life which involves lovelorn stoner Thurston (Reece Thompson) and handsome teacher Mr Anderson (Josh Lucas).

Most contemporary teen movies hide traditional, wholesome values beneath a shallow surface of subversion (or gross out humour). Daydream Nation does the opposite. Michael Goldbach slyly layers genre elements, spiking the comedy with suspenseful chills while painting a damning satirical portrait of conservative small-town life. Kat Dennings (Thor) excels as the whip-smart heroine with an attitude: independent, sexy and refreshingly articulate.

“Charged with alternating currents of teen angst, sardonic wit, nervous dread and impudent sensuality, Daydream Nation suggests Juno as reimagined by David Lynch, or a funnier, sunnier Donnie Darko.” – Variety