I would hate to be in eighth grade again, but I sure do love this film.

Okay, so I have a predilection for little, slice-of-life dramas, but even so, Bo Burnham’s film Eighth Grade is a delight sure to please a broad audience.

The film focuses on Kayla Day (Elsie Fisher) and her dad Mark (Josh Hamilton) during her last week of eight grade.

The film reminded me simultaneously of how hard it is to be a teenager and how hard it is to be a parent. The real strength of the film is its emotional depth and authenticity.

I loved watching it unfold onscreen and celebrate this film as an important narrative for kids as a counterbalance to all of the glossy and sensational narratives competing for their attention.

To get some insights into Burnham’s process and purpose, take a look at Marshall Shaffer’s interview with him.

Makes me miss having Marshall in my classes and chatting film with him on a regular basis!