October 14, 2024 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

FILM REVIEW: The Miseducation of Cameron Post

 

 

“The Miseducation of Cameron Post” is based on a true story written in novel form Emily M. Danforth. It takes place in the early 90’s when it was not generally acceptable to come out as gay. We live in a different time, although conversion camps still exist such as the one where this story takes place. The film premiered at Sundance 2018, where it won the US Grand Jury Prize.

Cameron Post, played beautifully by the talented Chloe Grace Moretz, dutifully attends the Bible Study classes to which she is sent to by her conservative aunt who cares for her after the death of her parents. Cameron acts on her attraction to a female classmate in this Bible Study group and later is caught making out with the girl she has double-dated with at prom. As a result, she is packed off to “God’s Promise” religious camp where she and fellow live-in attendees must each sign an induction contract committing them to defeat the “illness” of same-sex attraction, or “SSA.”

The question remains, are these kids sent to the institution because they are thought to be ill, or because they are perceived subliminally as a threat to the lifestyles and religious beliefs of their parents, guardians and members of their church groups.

Chloe Grace Moretz does not shy away from giving an all-out, very real, graphic performance as Cameron. At age 21, Chloe has experience beyond her years. She has been acting since she was seven. She is not afraid to take on a controversial role. In 2010, at thirteen, she appeared as Hit-Girl in the film “Kick-Ass” and again in “Kick-Ass 2” in 2013.

Her role as a child in this comic book-inspired violent action film spurred controversy, yet won her critical acclaim. In real life, Chloe has described her own family as “very Christian” and at the same time has publicly supported LGBTQ equality.

She calls herself a feminist and has rejected roles that she considers overtly sexualized or mere female plot devices. Also notable are Sasha Lane as Cameron’s friend Jane Fonda, Forrest Goodluck (who was Hawk in “Revenant”) as Reverend Rick and John Gallagher Jr (Jim Harper in “Newsroom”) as Reverend Rick, a counselor at the camp who has supposedly been “cured” and is now dealing with an undercurrent of painful personality issues. The camera works with the actors to capture unspoken feelings as it lingers on their facial reactions.

This is a well-directed, powerful film. Ironically, the placement together of these teens at the conversion camp has the effect of unifying those who have been outcast by their peers and their communities. Cameron and her two new best friends gain strength, courage and power to take back their lives, though not in the way the camp’s proprietors intended.

Kathryn Whitney Boole has spent most of her life in the entertainment industry, which has been the backdrop for remarkable adventures with extraordinary people.  She is a Talent Manager with Studio Talent Group in Santa Monica. kboole@gmail.com

Related Posts

Tegan and Sara’s 15-Year Catfishing Nightmare Exposed in New Documentary

October 2, 2024

October 2, 2024

Indie Rock Duo Teams With Filmmaker Erin Lee Carr to Investigate the Scheme Indie rock icons Tegan and Sara, known...

Sarah Paulson Attends West Coast Premiere of Hold Your Breath at Beyond Fest

September 29, 2024

September 29, 2024

The Chilling Horror Film Set in 1930s Oklahoma Debuts on Hulu on October Actress and Executive Producer Sarah Paulson attended...

Ariana DeBose and Arian Moayed Walk Red Carpet at Fantastic Fest for “House of Spoils” Premiere

September 23, 2024

September 23, 2024

Prime Video Thriller Set to Premiere October 3 Following Exclusive Screening Academy Award winning, LGTBQ actor Ariana DeBose, Arian Moayed,...

Beyond Fest 2024 Announces Biggest Lineup Yet, Featuring 82 Films Across Four Theaters

September 12, 2024

September 12, 2024

25 West Coast Premieres, 16 World Premieres, and Free Screenings Sponsored by Neon Beyond Fest, the annual celebration of genre...

New Film Explores Abraham Lincoln’s Private Life, Partnering with Human Rights Campaign

September 6, 2024

September 6, 2024

Lover of Men uncovers untold stories of Lincoln’s romantic relationships A new film, Lover of Men: The Untold History of...

Director Tilman Singer Returns with Atmospheric Horror Film Cuckoo, Opening on Friday

August 7, 2024

August 7, 2024

Hunter Schafer and Dan Stevens Face Off in the German Alps On August 9 German director Tilman Singer, known for...

Film Review: Harold and the Purple Crayon

August 2, 2024

August 2, 2024

By Dolores Quintana I will admit that my expectations weren’t high for Harold and the Purple Crayon, but I was...

Cinespia Announces Additional Special Screenings at Hollywood Forever Cemetery

July 19, 2024

July 19, 2024

Featuring Tributes to Paul Reubens and Shelly Duvall and Annual Screenings Cinespia, the popular cinematic experience presented by Amazon MGM...

Viral Tweet Spurs Screening of Michael Mann’s Miami Vice at the Lumiere Cinema in Beverly Hills

July 10, 2024

July 10, 2024

Independent Theater to Showcase 2006 Film on July 13 Following Online Debate By Dolores Quintana Following an unexpected turn of...

Film Review: MaXXXine

July 4, 2024

July 4, 2024

By Dolores Quintana MaXXXine, the third installment in Ti West’s X film series, could potentially be the finale. However, writer...

Celebrate Queer Cinema at the Egyptian Theater’s Hollywood Pride Series June 25-27

June 20, 2024

June 20, 2024

Experience Nearly a Century of LGBTQ+ Representation on the Silver Screen The Egyptian Theater is set to host “Hollywood Pride:...

Film Review: Longlegs

June 16, 2024

June 16, 2024

By Dolores Quintana Longlegs is pure poetic eldritch terror. From the very beginning, director Osgood Perkins uses the actors’ performances,...

Shock-A-Go-Go Film Festival Returns to Lumiere Cinema in Beverly Hills

May 17, 2024

May 17, 2024

A Weekend of Horror, and Cult Classics With Exclusive Q&A Sessions The Shock-A-Go-Go Film Festival is set to return to...

Slamdance Film Festival Makes Bold Move to Los Angeles in 2025

May 9, 2024

May 9, 2024

Leading Independent Film Festival Leaves Park City, Utah Slamdance, known for its artist-led ethos of “by filmmakers for filmmakers,” has...

UC Faculty Members Across the State Demand Action Following Campus Violence

May 9, 2024

May 9, 2024

Faculty and Staff Sign Letter Demanding Justice Following Brutal Attacks at UCLA By Dolores Quintana 1000 members of the University...