That's What I Am

That's What I Am is a 2011 film that is an awesome hidden gem now playing on Netflix. The film seems to take place in the 1960's, and has a narration that gives it a real "Wonder Years" feel. I actually think that the narration of this film is what really makes it work. The film is told from the perspective of Andy who is neither a nerd nor super cool. He is just a regular kid with a crush on a girl. But Mr. Simon (the school's best teacher) pairs up Andy on a class project with "Big G", the official school nerd. Through his interaction with Big G, Andy and the viewers learn a lot about tolerance and intolerance.

The school Andy attends is portrayed quite stereotypically. There are the cool kids, geeks, cooties, "geek island", cliques, you name it. And, I think that is also part of what makes the film work. The movie doesn't spend much time trying to create a realistic and nuanced picture of high school life. Instead, the movie takes for granted the existence of this toxic school environment, and shows how a good kid can get pulled in, pulled out, or remain indifferent.

If not for Mr. Simon, Andy would never have gotten involved with a geek like Big G for fear of the social repercussions. But, once he is forced to work together with Big G, he grows to respect how Big G handles his lot in life. In fact, one of the films most endearing qualities is Big G's attitude and approach to life. At one point, Big G explains to Andy that you cannot live your life trying to change other people. There is a moment in the movie when Big G tells Andy that "I can't make them be nice people", and I think that is real eye-opening moment for both Andy and the viewers. People (adults included) often live their lives trying to change the "not nice" behavior of others. Because of his troubled lot in life, Big G has developed an understanding of the world well beyond his years. He understands that one cannott force others to be nice people, and you just have to learn to ignore them.

Though there may have been some moments where the movie moved a bit slowly, I think it is a real gem and worth the watch.