How This Works – Read Other Reviews
Hello Cinephiles,
Today we’re talking about the 2022 film Better Nate Than Ever.
Story
This is a combination of musical, kid running away, and trying to reach your dream. It’s fairly predictable but lots of fun. I liked the friendship and I really liked the casualness of his sexuality.
I do feel there should have at least been a little bit of dialogue about him running away between him and his parents. They should have at least admitted that they pushed him to run away with their disregard for his dreams.
Score: 0.5
Characters
I didn’t like the parents. I found they were, as usual for an American movie, too focused on the sports star and too dismissive of the younger son. I also found the line where the dad is justifying Nate sleeping over at a girls house a little ridiculous. He says that’s it okay because, “Nate is different.” That works if they’ve had a talk about his sexuality, but if the dad is just guessing, that’s a dangerous line of thought. We bisexuals exist and there are a lot of boys who look or sound gay and are somewhere else in the spectrum.
The dynamics between the best friend and Nate are great and I love the aunt. The brother’s growth is well done.
Score: 0.5
Dialogue
The dialogue was pure Broadway fan with a few explanations for those who didn’t know. It was clever, witty, and quick while still being hopeful and naive. I loved it.
Score: 1
Visuals and Music
The movie was excellently framed and shot, making perfect use of the camera without being too static. The sets and locations were a great mix.
The music was perfectly picked and the musical numbers were a lot of fun.
Score: 1
Fun
This is a feelgood movie with lots of hope and talent. My 2yo was glued to the screen and my 5yo was writhing on the floor in second-hand embarrassment (she really doesn’t like movies where kids lie to their parents.)
The rest of us had big grins on our faces most of the time.
Score: 1
Overall
A fun, exciting, and musically filled film with lots of heart. I hope that the matter-of-fact treatment of sexuality is something we’ll see more of in the future.
This movie will make you smile and want to get up and dance. It almost made me want to audition for something.
Final Score: 4 Stars out of 5