That's What I Am - Movie Review

Movie production is listed among the many pots that the WWE has their fingers in. I have yet to see a WWE film that bowled me over. However, That's What I Am featured a couple of my favorites (Ed Harris and Molly Parker). With talent like that, it couldn't have been bad...could it?

That's What I Am has a Wonder Years feel to it. Instead of Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage), we have Andy Nichol (Chase Ellison). His coming-of-age story, set in 1965, is narrated in the same fashion as the hit television series. The story is based on Michael Pavone's own childhood, which was influenced by an English teacher named Mr. Simon (Ed Harris). The story centers around an ancient form of bullying that separates the nerdy kids from the mainstream through the use of that dreadful disease known as "cooties."

The social ostricization of geeky students brings out ruthless qualities in other students. That social order is challenged when Mr. Simon pairs Andy up with a boy named Stanley (Alexander Walters). Stanley is known to the other kids as "Big G." The term is short for Big Ginger. Stanley has flaming red hair and stands a foot taller than every other kid in school. The combination of traits that sets him apart has spawned a rather uncreative nickname. The assignment places Andy in a position where he must decide how the Middle School social code affects his personal decisions.

Kevin...er, Andy's home life also feels a bit derivative. His overbearing father, Jim (Daniel Roebuck) felt a lot like Mr. Arnold. The point of the film seemed to be that Andy is finding out who he is, so we end up with a two-dimensional father that seems to be there only to allow Andy an opportunity to assert himself. Andy's mother (Molly Parker) was less of a caricature, which may have been a tribute to Parker's talent more than the writing.

That's What I Am also has rather flat bad guys. The neighborhood menace (Ricky Brown, played by Jordan Reynolds) also happens to like the same girl Andy likes, the ultimate kisser...Mary Clear (Mia Rose Frampton). At least Reynolds delivered a decent performance. Randy Orton plays Ed Freel, father of another bully who spreads a vicious rumor. Orton was painful to watch. He even flubs a line when speaking with the school principal. They didn't even bother to edit it out. Ultimately, the film becomes good guys against the bad guys as the male lead discovers himself amidst the pre-teen angst of the 1960s.

If this story had been handled with half the savvy of The Wonder Years, I probably would have raved about it. Instead, we get a heavy-handed (almost preachy) tirade against bullying. The film gets a bit sappy at times, too. That's What I Am is a reference to owning what you feel you are. I am a writer, I am a teacher, I am a singer. While Pavone may own his passion for writing, I was left unimpressed. Pavone has been around a long time, he hasn't done anything that stands out in his biography. I hate to rail against the writing, but it was derivative, contrived and heavy handed.

In spite of the short-comings I found with That's What I Am, the acting was a bright spot. While Randy Orton was horrible, his performance was offset by the incredible Ed Harris, Molly Parker and a host of child actors that surprised me. Many of the child actors had limited prior experience. The lead, Ellison, has a more extensive resume and was an excellent choice to take the lead. He was not at all similar to Fred Savage, which helped put a small distance between this film and the television series. I emphasize the word small.

That's What I Am has a good message. It is a PG film that has very limited material that might be offensive. The film is about bullying, so there is obvious plenty of bullying portrayed. The film also tackles the stigma of homosexuality in the 1960s but only through discussions of the topic. The acting was pretty good, with the exception of Orton. The writing left a lot to be desired. While "based on a true story" the film felt horribly derivative. Some of the characters were flat and the interactions were often forced or contrived. This film took a great idea and failed to give it the treatment it deserves. If you are looking for a feel good movie that the entire family can watch, this fits the bill. Just don't get your hopes up high. 6/10.

Trailer and images subject to copyright.