Coming of Age Films—Eighth Grade

Just as last week’s Lady Bird focused on the last year in high school for its main character, Eighth Grade [2018] by Bo Burnham, focuses on a young girl’s last year in junior high.

Interestingly, Burnham originally made his name by posting YouTube videos—just as the young girl does in the film. He used that experience to help him write the film. People have asked why he centered the film around a girl, Kayla, instead of a boy; he said that it was because he didn’t want it to be about his life. Plus, when he did research for the film - by looking at vlogs from lots of young people - he found that the boys pretty much talked about video games while the girls bared their souls.

The difference, of course, between the videos that Burnham posted at school and the ones that Kayla posts in the film, is that Burnham’s vlogs were super successful and Kayla’s are kind of heart-wrenching.

Take a look at the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8lFgF_IjPw

One of the lovely things about Kayla is her incredible vulnerability. She’s trying so hard to be outgoing and someone whom people would like to be friends with. But in her real life at school? She’s just seen as the quiet girl who doesn’t talk—and who people joke about. She is desperate to fit in and thinks that if people watch her vlog they’ll see how outgoing and fun she is! But live and in person? She’s full of anxiety about doing the least little thing that would connect her with other kids.

Another terrific thing about this film is how it taps into the reality that is eighth grade today. If you were born in the last century, you’re probably already out of touch. As Burnham said, when he was going over a line in the film that referenced Facebook with the actress who played Kayla, she told him ‘nobody’s on Facebook anymore.’ And what she meant, of course, is that no one her age—everyone born in the last 12 years uses Instagram. Or maybe Snapchat.

Also, pay close attention to the dialogue in the film. It’s so sharp and immediate that you might think—as many people have—that it was improvised in front of the camera. But that’s not the case. Every word, as Burnham said, was in the script apart from the odd line or two changed during filming.

The film won many, many awards—including the WGA award for best original screenplay.

Like last week’s Ladybird, this is a film to study and learn from. And enjoy.

Copyright © Diane Lake

14Nov21

Email Diane a question to Diane@DianeLake.com