He brings out the very best in Amerman (“Glee,” “Arrested Development”) and Bobadilla (“Anger Management,” “The Middle”). He has a clear grasp of teen life and culture and on teen emotions. This is his second feature film, after 2011’s The Pact, and word should definitely be spread that he is a director and writer to watch. You’ll be rooting for the pair right up to the somewhat unexpected end.ĭirector Toronto wrote the script along with his brother, Aaron Toronto. As the movie picks up and heads towards Madison’s big reveal and its explosive repercussions, it’s impossible to look away. Again, some may pick up on the outdated social media sites, but if they look past the window dressing will find the story moving compelling and gripping. Both performances are electric and a genuine connection to each other manifests many feels in viewers. I found Teel and Madison to be very real. I think teens will appreciate this film too and not just because of the internet framing device. I am positive teens will appreciate both of those, but from the perspective of being on the other end of the screen. As the parent of a young adult, it was terrific to look inside the workings of teens’ lives via online social networks and how they can be positive experiences. It’s not a didactic or pedantic film and as an adult watching the film I felt and appreciated exactly what the filmmaker was trying to convey. The bonds of friendship are of utmost importance. It shows the power of the internet and how it can strengthen a youth’s social safety net. While nothing is graphically shown, it’s heart-rending to watch as these two teens struggle to carry this burden through high school. The film addresses bullying, LGBTQ issues, date rape and sexual molestation. That is a good thing because as Teel discovers, Madison is hiding her own secrets. Despite some arguments, Madison does not give up on Teel. Teel’s problems are bigger than she bargained for – he is gay and is beaten up in school. She decides to take on Teel as her “project” and help him make friends and get out more. Madison is a social butterfly, seemingly popular a beloved party queen who has something happening every night of the week. The fact that kids do use social media and chat programs in establishing social connections and how those connections can affect positive change does. It doesn’t matter if very few kids use specific programs or not nowadays. The film uses FaceTime as its main storytelling device and it really gives adult viewers a feel what the modern teen online social life is like. His life is transformed when Madison (Daniela Bobadilla) answers and the two reconnect through social media, texts and FaceTime. Teel is clearly “different,” isolated, friendless and ready to commit suicide. The film opens with Teel Johnson (Daniel Amerman) looking up a childhood friend on a social media site. It’s a message that is needed in the world we live in today. Netflix has picked up Matthew Toronto’s 2016 film Face 2 Face and this is one film you won’t want to miss, especially if you are a fan of series “Thirteen Reasons Why.” This is an excellent example of the young adults in trouble genre and although at times the subject matte makes the film uncomfortable to watch, the overall message of friends saving each other is powerful.
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