Director
Desiree Akhavan
(APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR)

Stars
Chloë Grace Moretz, Kerry Butler, Quinn Shephard, John Gallagher Jr., Jennifer Ehle, Sasha Lane and Forrest Goodluck

Though not a biographical film, THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST is connected to a real-life story via the 2012 novel of the same name it is based upon, and is a fictionalised account of a particular practice that alarmingly still occurs this very day. 

Set in Montana, U.S in 1993, this drama follows the life of high-school teenager, Cameron Post (played by Chloë Grace Moretz) who resides in the conservative home of her aunt, Ruth (Kerry Butler). Though Cameron has a boyfriend, she is secretly attracted to females and discovers that a mutual attraction exists with close friend Coley (Quinn Shephard). When the two girls are seen being intimate during their prom night, Ruth immediately reacts by sending Cameron to God’s Promise, a remote treatment centre that performs gay conversion therapy.

The subject matter explored in this drama will be closer to the hearts of some more so than others. But regardless of your care factor, the premise of this film presents an opportunity to learn what gay conversion therapy entails, and to more importantly understand the mental (and even physical) damage it will invariably have on the individual forced to undergo it. Sadly though, THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST has completely misjudged its most essential point.

This drama’s promising prospects gradually evaporate as it becomes clear that the narrative is devoid of depth and has lazily avoided delving into the challenging and psychologically complex layers of emotions experienced by its severely underwritten characters. Instead, the writing has mistakenly remained firmly focused on accentuating the ugliness in those whose mission in life is to cleanse what they believe are the sinful ways of others. Meanwhile, our adolescent ensemble of characters who temporarily reside at the camp until they’re deemed to be “cleansed” are given not much more to do than restlessly meander, share in empty conversation and give in to the odd temptation. This misplaced emphasis and the mundane writing do not enable audiences to resonate or emotionally connect with the film at a level that is achievable, or even desired. Furthermore, the directing work of Desiree Akhavan lacks cohesion and further distances viewers from her film. Naturally, all of this places a heavier burden than necessary onto the shoulders of the (mostly) young and fairly inexperienced cast members. It even proves to be an insurmountable task for one of my personal favourite younger actresses, Chloë Grace Moretz, despite her experience. Truth be told, she is heavily restricted and appears withdrawn from the tumultuous emotions that Cameron would experience as a result of the radical changes that occur in her life.

A Grand Jury Prize Winner at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST is unfortunately one of the greatest disappointments of 2018. The LGBTQ+ community deserved a better film and will almost certainly get just that by waiting for the release of BOY ERASED later this year.

2 stars

Viewer Discretion
M (Mature themes, sex scenes and coarse language)

Trailer
THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST

Moviedoc thanks Rialto Distribution and Annette Smith for the opportunity to watch and review this film.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc
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