This is a ho-hum movie, born out of a ho-hum script.
Much has been said from the other reviewers who draw attention to the lack of realism in the characters, particularly their shifting from emotions so quickly and seemingly without justification to the lack of any chemistry between the leads, the lack of any erotic scenes, and the implausibility in the script. I'm saying I agree.
What I object to is not the fact that they are lesbians, or that there is an age difference, but that the entire relationship between teacher and student barely causes a ripple. Sure we've seen those movies before and this isn't the focus of the film, but to not address it in some form is ridiculous. The first time they kiss is in the school grounds in broad daylight? No teacher would do that, no matter what she may have over her superior.
There are many other examples of unrealistic situations. The mother character has not been fleshed out properly and jumps from one emotional extreme to the next, literally, in the next sentence. Her daughter Jackie clearly has mother issues, yet this is not explored either, especially in her relationship with Catherine (who at one point cuts up some food for Jackie during dinner like a child). What would possess Catherine to do this? Again, not explained.
The couple breaking up is strange, particularly Catherine's attitude. I understand the immediate anger, but her sustained nastiness just doesn't sit right.
Finally, I object to society's general hypocrisy when it comes to these types of films. I'm estimating that Jackie is about 17, and the teacher around her mid 30's. If the teacher were male and the student female, he would be deemed a pervert if not a pedophile. Yet here, it's all smooth sailing.
You cannot make a film about a teacher having a relationship with a underage student and not address the moral dilemma's involved. To skirt around them insults the viewer.
The leads do a competent job, particularly Allison McAtee as Catherine, but she and the LGBT community deserved a better script than this.
Much has been said from the other reviewers who draw attention to the lack of realism in the characters, particularly their shifting from emotions so quickly and seemingly without justification to the lack of any chemistry between the leads, the lack of any erotic scenes, and the implausibility in the script. I'm saying I agree.
What I object to is not the fact that they are lesbians, or that there is an age difference, but that the entire relationship between teacher and student barely causes a ripple. Sure we've seen those movies before and this isn't the focus of the film, but to not address it in some form is ridiculous. The first time they kiss is in the school grounds in broad daylight? No teacher would do that, no matter what she may have over her superior.
There are many other examples of unrealistic situations. The mother character has not been fleshed out properly and jumps from one emotional extreme to the next, literally, in the next sentence. Her daughter Jackie clearly has mother issues, yet this is not explored either, especially in her relationship with Catherine (who at one point cuts up some food for Jackie during dinner like a child). What would possess Catherine to do this? Again, not explained.
The couple breaking up is strange, particularly Catherine's attitude. I understand the immediate anger, but her sustained nastiness just doesn't sit right.
Finally, I object to society's general hypocrisy when it comes to these types of films. I'm estimating that Jackie is about 17, and the teacher around her mid 30's. If the teacher were male and the student female, he would be deemed a pervert if not a pedophile. Yet here, it's all smooth sailing.
You cannot make a film about a teacher having a relationship with a underage student and not address the moral dilemma's involved. To skirt around them insults the viewer.
The leads do a competent job, particularly Allison McAtee as Catherine, but she and the LGBT community deserved a better script than this.