‘Fame High’ tracks talented high school students through artistic ups and downs

Fame High, which screened at the Tribeca Film Festival a couple of years ago and was recently released in theaters, follows an exceptionally talented group of high school students as they navigate the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. Our main characters are Grace, a ballet dancer with an eye for attending Juilliard; Brittany, a singer who wants to make it big in the pop world; Zak, an impressive pianist; and Ruby, an aspiring actress. The documentary spends a lot of time with each of these subjects, never pulling away when the inevitable hardships abound. Because of its unflinching devotion of showing all the triumphs and tribulations of these young artistic lives, Fame High is quality entertainment.

Director Scott Hamilton Kennedy seems to have a two-fold purpose with his film. One one side, it’s easy to display the remarkable brilliance of these students and their beautiful educational surroundings. This art-centric high school is rigorous, demanding academic excellence in all subjects, but also nurturing the students who wish to blossom as performers and musicians. Art programs are not cut from this educational institution; instead, they are enhanced and focused on by the dedicated faculty.

The other side of this documentary is a bit darker. Although the school has high aspirations, there’s also an unfair level of pressure put on these impressionable minds. Zak’s father seems domineering, often pushing his son’s musical dreams to the point where playing the piano is a chore rather than an enjoyment. Grace’s parents are somewhat conservative about her social life, and everyone is over-worked, over-stressed and learning some difficult life lessons. Ruby is given an understudy role in a professional theater production, and it doesn’t take long for her to want out of the acting gig.

At one point, viewers may feel like reaching through the screen and rescuing these young students, telling them to enjoy their lives while they still can. But then again, there’s something wonderful about their talent and the undying support of their parents and teachers. Although they are pushed quite far (perhaps too far), the subjects of Fame High still seem to be on a much worthier path than the kids featured on so many reality competition shows nowadays. An artistic life is a difficult one, but perhaps it’s still worth pursuing, no matter the number of rejections.

Fame High follows the familiar path of many other educational documentaries. We are first introduced to the students at the start of the school year, and by the time June rolls around we have seen how they have grown and the quality performances they’re able to create. By the documentary’s end, it’s easy to appreciate the hard work of everyone involved. Graduating from this high school is an obvious honor, probably because it takes so much sweat and tears to arrive at the finish line.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Fame High

• 2013

• Directed by Scott Hamilton Kennedy

• Running time: 101 minutes

• Rating: