First off, it's important to note that I teach high school debate. I saw this movie because anything set in the world I love is of interest to me. This film is depressingly accurate in its portrayal of the quirky niche that is high school speech....
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First off, it's important to note that I teach high school debate. I saw this movie because anything set in the world I love is of interest to me. This film is depressingly accurate in its portrayal of the quirky niche that is high school speech. There are lots of small moments for anyone involved in their high school team, including a brief jab at LD debate in a movie dedicated to the policy sphere.

It wasn't the backdrop that made me enjoy the movie. The quirky characters are both lovable and loathsome. Hal, the stuttering protagonist, is pathetic. But, he's understandably pathetic. His embarrassing moments are our embarrassing moments. He's struggling to find his place in his world. Along the way he has to deal with true love, not so true love, divorcing parents, a sadistic, but caring older brother, a self involved therapist, his mother's new boyfriend, and a nerdy, bizarre best friend. Not to mention a peeping pre-teen with nympho parents. Throw in a cameo by Jonah Hill and the movie has some truly delightful moments.

The majority of this movie was highly enjoyable. Funny and poignant, Hal's struggles are heartbreaking, but strangely compelling. Unfortunately, the film doesn't pay out. The last fifteen minutes needed something. I wasn't expecting a miracle. He's a stutterer, he's not going to win the state championship, but this movie sincerely needed some closure. You wanted him to at least find some peace. Instead, you find Hal in virtually the same place he began the movie. Maybe he's a little wiser, but nothings been resolved. The omniscient and condescending narrator implies that he finds what he needs, but that's not enough. There's no satisfaction in being told he's going to be ok someday.

Overall, the majority of the movie is a delight. It's a touching look at a quirky world (that I can verify really exists). While the ending was disappointing, it wasn't a horrible end. So, the movie is enjoyable and definitely worth more than one viewing.