Prom was an enjoyable movie, even if the plot was a bit predictable. I admit to having some bias: it was filmed at my school! And when I saw it, my classmates were also there at the screening and I personally (many reporters would disagree) believe it benefitted from claps and cheers at every familiar hallway, staircase, or exterior shot. But we didn't only clap and cheer for our school, the audience of early teens also got very invested in the plot lines of the main characters.
The film centers around that big, all-important high school event called prom, obviously, and everything leading up to that special night. Prom follows a group of couples and romantic hopefuls as they prepare for the end; this includes making decorations, dealing with relationship problems, and of course finding a date. With a charming cast (although a particular character falls into the "love-to-loathe" category), the film is fun without annoying song and dance numbers that are typical in Disney teen films. I was pleasantly surprised by how it didn't make me groan once. In fact, I was cheering along with my classmates.
Another great part about Prom was how it was directed to feel like a 1980's Brat Pack film, just cuter and more Disney. (Trivia: The iconic prom-themed film Pretty in Pink was also filmed at my school!) Like those films, it also takes stereotypes and bends them, adding a modern touch to each one too. For example, the popular high school prom queen isn't your generic mean girl. She's not a ditzy bleach blonde either, and she sends out a message of female power to teen girls. And, the smart girl in the movie IS the blonde (something a blondie, 4.0 student such as myself appreciates, thank you very much).
Ultimately, Prom may be one of those films that defines a generation - or at least the 2011-2013 classes of John Burroughs students. A particularly lovable and funny character named Rolo may very well start a trend! It might have a tough of cliché or predictability here and there, but I honestly didn't care for once. I PICK it and grade it an A- for being a wonderfully imperfect movie.
by Miranda R., Chief Movie Critic
