Teenage Dirtbag (2009) Reviews

• Powerful in ways you can predict

  the_randomhero922011-06-27

  This is my first ever review. I have never felt the need to spread a movie, or voice my opinion before, but I find myself angry that more people have not seen this movie. It is a movie unlike any other. Scott M foster portrays Thayer Mangeris, a delinquent and a somewhat bad boy from a broken home, who grows a connection with Amber Lang, played by Noa Hegesh, through the creative writing class they have together, and their frequent correspondence in study hall via a notebook. Noa, who has never liked Thayer before, having been forced always to sit with him due to their naming order, finds herself growing feelings for this wrong side of the tracks boy. i wont say anything more but this: buy a copy of this movie, for a guarantee you will be watching it again and again.

• Amazing Movie

  suicidalpyrofreak2010-11-27

  Let me start by saying this: Teenage Dirtbag has a cliché story line, with cliché characters. But even still, there's something about this movie that draws you in, and holds you. Thayer is your typical bad boy with a broken home. His father and older brother beat on him, he does drugs, skips school, etc... But there's still something about him that makes you sympathize with him, and makes your heart break for him. Amber is your typical rich kid whose parents ignore her, and her friends don't know her, etc... She's not quite as heart-pulling or emotion- provoking, but still good none the less. I was quite impressed by the person they had to play Thayer. He wasn't the tattoo'ed, punked out, buff bad boy I was expecting. He didn't use his looks to portray Thayer, but rather his acting. And he did an amazing job. The soundtrack was also amazing to this. The music was just perfect the whole way through. I think this was more realistic than most stories similar to this. Amber didn't ditch her friends, and go running off with Thayer, even though she wanted to. And most girls wouldn't. It was -depressingly- true to life. Over all, this movie was a must see. I'm typing this as I watch it for the fifth time this month. :D

• Great effort

  BernardoLima2009-11-17

  Supposedly based on true events, Teenage Dirtbag tells the story of Amber a popular high school girl who is harassed by a delinquent boy,Thayer. Thayer seems to develop an obsession with Amber and what begins as teasing and harassment soon evolves into affection as Thayer tries to reach and connect with Amber.They are placed in the same creative writing class and trough written words they start to understand each other a little better and the class becomes a bonding experience as they share their feelings. A friendship starts to form but Amber is confused by her feelings and Thayer has to withstand his abusive father and a broken home.Teenage Dirtbag is essentially a unrequited love story between teenagers.Very well written and directed,this small independent film turned out to be a pleasant surprise and it deserves more recognition and a wider distribution. The performances were all very solid with a special mention to the lovely Noa Hegesh who did a terrific job as Amber.The musical score which caught me by surprise,complimented the movie very nicely and kinda took it to another level. Overall a great effort by first time director Regina Crosby. 7/10

• Exceptional movie

  xletxmexgox2011-04-27

  At first, I wasn't sure I'd like this movie when I sat down to watch it on Netflix. I don't typically watch teenage drama movies, but I was pleasantly surprised by this. Firstly, it's not a teenage drama. I mean, it is, but it's more than that at the same time. To watch Thayer and Amber's relationship slowly turn from antagonistic to friends, to possible romance is a wonderful journey, that was very exceptionally done. Secondly, I know this movie is a cliché that's been done thousands of times. Bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks falls for the high and mighty cheerleader? Breakfast Club, anyone? But this movie was unique in one aspect: It stayed true to life. In reality, Amber WOULDN'T have given up her friends, her way of life to be with Thayer. Very few people have the courage to step outside of the little boxed worlds they live in comfortably, to the unknown, and often times scary world outside of our box. Some scenes were a little... Well, I guess bordering on disturbing. The abuse scenes we see are very tactfully done, and we never really see too much, although we know what's going on. The actors were amazing for this. Scott Michael Foster did an EXCELLENT job as Thayer. For the first few minutes of the movie, I kept waiting for the 'Bad Boy' to show up, before I realized that the boy I was seeing WAS Thayer. He didn't have tattoos, or piercings, or dress in ripped shirts, black pants, etc. Unlike most actors, he used his acting to portray who he was acting, not his clothes or appearance. Noa Hegesh wasn't quite as good as Scott Michael Foster, but still did an incredible job of portraying the cheerleader who's unhappy with her life, but unwilling to change. One last note: The two leads never kissed on screen. Thinking back, I don't think they ever had any real physical contact. But you could still feel the emotions jumping off the screen at you. Very well done movie, one of the best Indie films I've ever seen, if not the best.

• good review

  mavickvargas2011-06-11

  I agree with most of the good reviews of this movie. It affected me really hard. Although I didn't like the poem part because I don't know..I do that when I'm in some emotional personal thoughts and thinking of death. It is small budget film and some unknown actors but who cares? I give them an A. The pacing, acting and directing was great. I also never thought it is a 2009 movie. I was getting into a deep feeling at the end when he's really desperate in getting the girl but why couldn't he just say 'I like/love you' straightforward? Just thinking I thought he could be a lot bolder..Really good movie..Worth a watch. I also like the movie soundtrack at the end, it is tragic but beautiful. Too bad popular movies don't have this.