American Teen

American Teen is a documentary following the experiences of four high school seniors. This group of four is comprised of a jock, a rebel, a geek, and a ditsy popular girl. The look and feel of American Teen is authentically 21st century, yet the rites of passage it records are universal. American Teen shows how a documentary can be as moving and suspenseful as the best narrative feature. Burstein (the director) may not know when to back off, but she's genuinely curious about all she sees. By the end of the film, you'll be firmly on the side of each of these kids, hoping the best for them, or at least some of them. While at times dull and others unrealistic, American Teen does give an authentic high school experience.