David Robert Mitchell’s debut film looks to debunk ‘The Myth of the American Sleepover’

David Robert Mitchell’s The Myth of the American Sleepover is a great antidote to the barrage of brainless teenage comedies that hit the silver screen. From the American Pie series to the cadre of Seth Rogen films, many filmmakers think they “understand” teenagers in modern-day America. The young men are usually portrayed as weird, stupid, sex-crazed or just good guys in bad circumstances. The young women are usually portrayed as promiscuous, ditzy, sex-crazed or just good girls in bad circumstances. We’ve seen these characters a million times, and we’ll probably see them a million times more.

I thought the days of American Graffiti were dead.

Thankfully, The Myth of the American Sleepover stands as the exception to the rule. As the title suggests, Mitchell looks to debunk the stereotypical nature of teenage life, and he does so by creating a sweet, endearing film about young people in love, but not exactly sure what it all means. There’s no gratuitous sex scenes or “big” parties on Friday night. Instead, the 95-mnute film weaves its way through a single night of average kids trying to keep their minds one step ahead of boredom. They congregate at each other’s houses. They drink some beer. They kiss in the dark. They play silly games around a Ouija board. In other words, they come fairly close to reality.

The ensemble piece has several standouts, including Maggie (Claire Sloma), a girl who begins falling for an older boy at school, and Rob (Marlon Morton), who pines for his friend’s sister. Over the course of one night, both characters get fairly close to their prize. Like a fairy tale, they both hope for that fateful kiss, that in-between time when they can stop being kids and start acting like adults. On their dual journeys both characters refreshingly showcase maturity and thoughtfulness. This is not a Jason Biggs comedy where the characters talk sex, sex, sex until their urges are satisfied. The Myth of the American Sleepover is much more subtle and much more  grounded.

Mitchell’s screenplay strays from cliche and keeps everything interesting and true. He weaves a full tapestry of these young lives, and even foreshadows what will happen once these kids truly grow up. One older character, Scott (Brett Jacobsen), leaves college after he breaks up with his girlfriend and decides to track down a pair of twins he was friendly with in high school. This subplot proves that growing up is a long process, and not something that can fit into a montage. Even Scott still wrestles with the awkwardness and dissatisfaction of being a teenager or 20-something in an unforgiving United States.

There’s not much humor in the movie, and that’s probably because it doesn’t feature any drug use or stock characters. There are no generic plot points or big revelations. It’s all about trying to enjoy one night out with some friends. Who knows what will happen? Maybe a kiss, or maybe not.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• The Myth of the American Sleepover

• 2011

• Written and directed by David Robert Mitchell

• Starring Claire Sloma, Marlon Morton and Brett Jacobsen

• Running time: 96 minutes

• Not Rated

• Rating: