MovieChat Forums > Boys State (2020) Discussion > The polarized responses to this are fasc...

The polarized responses to this are fascinating

posted 3 years ago by SlackerInc (1121)
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Personally I found this doc mildly interesting but often a bit tedious. Typical reactions though are much stronger. Cultural critics generally either find it deeply inspiring or absolutely appalling and horrifying.

I don't really feel either way about it, which makes it even more interesting to me that it provokes these reactions. And it's not like the differences are between people who are otherwise radically different in their politics, so I'm not sure what it is about it.

[–] moviechatter2526 (159) 2 years ago

I didn't find it horrifying or disturbing at all. Quite the opposite, it was very inspiring and hopeful, showing these 17 year olds who at the start of the thing don't really give a damn about much and are all rah rah America and having fun, only to be caught up in the passion and honesty of a liberal first generation Mexican born of immigrant parents who earns their respect and votes through persuasion and sheer force of will.

Even though he doesn't win in the end, it's a testament to how personality and determination can break through just about any barrier, at least in the US. A better indorsement for America and Democracy I've seldom seen. Great film.

[–] SlackerInc (1121) 2 years ago

Okay, but you're still just one of the two types I identified: "Cultural critics generally either find it deeply inspiring or absolutely appalling and horrifying." You are in the "deeply inspiring" camp. I find this odd because I don't see it as belonging in either of those boxes.