A debate fell over the release of this movie in 2006. Should we give a movie about teenageers a rating so high that teenagers couldn’t watch it? What if it was such an important movie that teenagers should see it?

I’ve only just now jumped from the couch to the computer to tell you I’ve finally seen it on DVD, and I’m in the middle of the debate. Graphic scenes of self-torture, incestuous rape and death are not things I would want being displayed in a year ten health or media studies class. Yet I’ve been so moved that I could not but encourage everyone to see this film. You must see this film.

A suicide occurs in a bathroom in a urban high school, at 2:37pm. The lives of six class members is followed from the start of school that day to the time of the death, and the audience is led to believe that one of these students in lying on the floor of the bathroom.

We have learned since childhood that a tough exterior will shield you from things that suck in life, and will protect our interior fragile humanity until we’ve survived our entire adolescence. We do our performances – the beautiful girl, the experienced sports dude, the crazy druggie, the invisible guy, the high achiever (sounds a little like The Breakfast Club) – to strengthen our shells, but these performances do little but make the pain of our honest selves harder to live with. In the end, that in us which is honest, empathic and not afraid to love, falls victim.

Whatever dark embarassing fragile moment you felt in high school that you’d rather forget…

…that moment you found out that he knows you like him

…that day your voice broke while giving a book review in English class

…that time your mate dacked you playing footy

…the day your period came early at school camp

…that time the science teacher asked you to go to the blackboard, waking you from your day-dreaming about Demi Moore (or Rob Lowe)

…the regret you felt after you betrayed a friend’s trust for the chance to share intriguing gossip

..the day your “mate” told you the expensive belt you proudly displayed was, indeed, a girl’s belt

Bring it to the front of your mind, remeber it, cherish it. Despite that moment you are still here, and because of that moment you are who you are. You are the of the fortunate ones. You are living.
Be thankful.

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