Rocket Science

Director: Jeffrey Blitz
Cast: Reece Thompson, Nicholas D'Agosto and Anna Kendrick
Releasing in cinemas: 17 June 2010
Rated: M

In a world of instantly disposable culture, it's interesting to see a little film emerge that seems to have overcome the odds. Jeffrey Blitz made Rocket Science in 2007 and this charming film has kicked around ever since before now finally getting a release in Australia. I suspect it may have something to do with the presence of Oscar nominee Anna Kendrick in the cast; but whatever the reason, it's great to see this film now appearing on the big screen.

You might have seen Blitz's previous film, the Oscar-winning documentary Spellbound. If you did, you'll recall it was the story of high school kids competing in the national spelling bee. Rocket Science continues the high school intellectual angle; but instead of spelling, it's now debating that forms the backbone of the film.

Actually, if you get right down to it, the common thread is actually about surmounting the challenges that life throws at us. In this case, the protagonist, Hal Hefner (Reece Thompson), faces a few more challenges than your average teen. To start with, his father has just left his mother, his brother Earl (Vincent Piazza) is dumping on him, school is a drag and he's painfully shy - all compounded by the fact he has a chronic stutter.

It therefore comes a quite a shock when he's tapped by the smart, erudite, confident and far more mature Ginny Ryerson (Anna Kendrick) to be her new debating partner. Ginny wants Hal to replace her former partner, the equally smart, erudite and confident Ben Wekselbaum (Nicholas D'Agosto), whose odd choice the year before left Ginny with only second prize. She wants to be number 1, and nothing is going to stop her. But while Ginny's choice seems odd to some, Hal sees it as a complete fillip and a way to break out of his troubled existence. But are Ginny's motives entirely pure, or does she have a different agenda?

What makes this rather quirky but agreeable film stand out from the crowd of small indie films is that Blitz (who also wrote the script) skilfully steers it away from cliches and expected outcomes. This kind of story would ordinarily, in a "Hollywood" picture, go a certain way and end entirely predictably. This takes a very different tack. I suspect some viewers will be a little dismayed by the course it ventures down for that very reason; but Blitz's truthful (perhaps brutally so) approach is to be admired.

Blitz generally succeeds with this film because he doesn't try to do too much. Just about everything about it is understated, from the prosaic New Jersey locations to the economical cinematography and the viewer-friendly 100 minute running time. The script is equally frugal in its approach, with considerable room left for the audience to interpret what's happening.

The film features a fair deal of voice-over narration, something that can be distracting, but which actually works well here. The brilliantly staged opening sequence is a fine example of how voice-over can enhance, rather than detract from, the on-screen action.

Reece Thompson is excellent as the confused but oddly determined Hal. I don't recall seeing him before, although he seems to have been working steadily in both film and TV since Rocket Science was released in the US. His portrayal of the character is far more than a one-note performance keying on his disability. He makes Hal a character you can care about. Anna Kendrick is brilliant as the super-bright but possibly conniving Ginny. Her rapid-fire delivery contrasts nicely with Hal's stutter. Nicholas D'Agosto has more limited opportunities as Ben, but makes the most of them. Look out too for Denis O'Hare in the small but important role of Hal's father.

It's fair to say Rocket Science didn't set the world or the box office on fire in the US, and it would be very surprising if it did any differently here. Nonetheless, this is a fine - indeed, in some ways, quite elegant - small film that deserves to find an audience.

David Edwards