Speech & Debate (2017) (original) (raw)
Three high school students are brought together by a series of mishaps. Frustrated by the hypocrisy they see in their parents, teachers, and the entire school board, the unlikely trio set out to find a common truth and make their voices heard as they revive a defunct school club and take on the world. Blogging, blackmail and Broadway belting drive the trio�s bond. Based on the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway play.
Three high school students are brought together by a series of mishaps. Frustrated by the hypocrisy they see in their parents, teachers, and the entire school board, the unlikely trio set out to find a common truth and make their voices heard as they revive a defunct school club and take on the world. Blogging, blackmail and Broadway belting drive the trio�s bond. Based on the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway play. (less)
Director: Dan Harris
Starring: Liam James, Sarah Steele, Austin P. McKenzie, Kal Penn, Janeane Garofalo, Kimberly Williams-Paisley
Review by Brian Orndorf, April 6, 2017
8 / 10
I suppose the knee-jerk reaction to �Speech & Debate� is to compare it to the �Glee,� the television phenomenon that brought music, drama, and diversity into American homes, identifying teen liberation through the performing arts. The material is actually an adaptation of a play by Stephen Karam, who assumes screenwriting duties for his big screen debut. While it has the potential to be snarky, dim, and thin, �Speech & Debate� is downright wonderful at times, eschewing the plastic teen routine to create dimensional characters facing interesting personal and educational challenges, while comedi ...read more...
| | My rating | 6.1110% like it | | ----------- | --------------- |