The Preppie Connection (2015) User Reviews (18)

Entertaining and engaging enough

[go_titans · 7/10 · 19 March 2016]

I saw The Preppie Connection tonight, and found myself enjoying every bit of it. The fact that it was a true story made it an easy sell for me, but I particularly appreciate that the film makers didn't present anything fantastic or over the top. Instead, you really feel that what you are watching is probably what actually took place, no more, no less. In short, the risk the main character takes in traveling abroad for the purpose of drug trafficking is presented clearly and thoroughly for the viewer, and this serves to make the film engaging.

I've read a review elsewhere that regards the acting in this film as weak. I don't agree at all. I thought the acting was great, the kids were believable, and I especially liked the soundtrack.

To sum up, I probably wouldn't go handing out Oscars to the actors and crew, but in my opinion the film entertains all the way through, and is definitely worthwhile watching.

Drugs are bad, mkay...

[deloudelouvain · 7/10 · 21 April 2016]

Movies based on a true story are always more interesting then the odd fictional movie. In The Preppie Connection it's all about a simple guy, Toby (played by Thomas Mann), that tries to fit in with the other high class students. He's secretly in love with Alex (played by Lucy Fry) and tries to impress her and her entourage by scoring weed, then cocaine, and later by smuggling the white powder from Columbia. It's an interesting and entertaining movie. The cast is well chosen and the storyline is very easy to follow. It shows what some people would do to impress others or to fit in, and it shows how cocaine can destruct a lot of lives. Certainly worth a watch.

It is an entertaining film about first world problems and drug trafficking

[subxerogravity · 6/10 · 24 March 2016]

Based on a true story, a poor white kid tries to get in good with the rich privileged kids going to a fancy prep school by smuggling in drugs for them to take.

I seen this drug tale before a dozen times, but the film is quite interesting to watch despite. Especially the lead actor Thomas Mann, who became big from Me, Earl, and a Dying Girl. Just like that movie, Mann's character narrates the story, in a very very similar fashion.

Lucy Fry also played an interesting character as well as Logan Huffman who played one of the rich prep school kids. He did a fantastic job of being very unlikable to the point were you like to not like him. very nice.

Worth sitting through.

Pretty entertaining, but the ending stunk lol

[shaun-kahler · 6/10 · 12 February 2018]

Ok, all in all it was pretty typical entertainment. I was kind of along for the ride all the way, it was cool to watch poor person become rich, etc. Kind of like 21, etc. Always whenever the poor person goes and gets rich he gets busted lol.

Acting was like... well it was kids, so you know.

Honestly I would recommend this if you're bored, looking for something to watch. It's intriguing, and kept my attention all the way through.

The only thing that killed me was the ending. It was incredibly typical. After-school special. I couldn't handle it lol. Like, beyond "Drugs are bad, mmkay" ending.

Basically when the show looks like it's over, just go ahead and turn it off lol. Nothing special. Well, sort of. Actually there's one interesting part in there.

I liked it because it reminded me of a friend that used to get caught up in stuff like that. Lol. He actually got off the hook though! lol

Was busted and ended up with a mistrial because the car had been searched after detention lasted much longer than it should.

The privileged

[kosmasp · 6/10 · 27 February 2018]

Sometimes people wonder, why and how kids who have it all, got into trouble. Be it stealing, rampaging or as in this case, dealing with drugs. You can't judge some by the cover or by the appearance. So even rich kids get bored and want to have "fun". Or just do things that they are not allowed to do. And having an adventure, like going to another country and buying drugs there.

This real life story that we get served here, has quite some impact and is also a coming of age story. Even someone who is considered a reasonable kid may go the wrong way/route. In this case, he may say that a girl was the reason, but there is more to it. It is the respect (if you can call it that) he got from it). But is it worth it all? I would say no, but watch and judge for yourself. It's one thing to try something for fun ... it's another thing to dabble in things you cannot comprehend ...

Well made and acted

[robertemerald · 7/10 · 1 April 2020]

There are other cocaine movies such as Blow, and even one Tom Cruise did. This is not the mind bending ride that those two were. There are also movies about class differences between teenagers in America. This is probably a very good one. Certainly it's well acted and well put together. The drama is very much like that of teen horror movies. If you find teenagers a pain to watch then this won't be for you. How much it is based on fact is a big question. The movie doesn't really answer that. Still, it adds an element of intrigue to a well told story, a story that certainly has some great moments, a clear message and a protagonist most of us will identify with.

Rather dull

[mingsphinx · 4/10 · 26 December 2016]

The narrative follows a predictable arc without any insight that would otherwise make it worthwhile for viewers to watch this film. There was nothing provocative or contentious offered by the flat, almost cardboard like characters. It is the kind of shallow, angst filled melodrama found in movies aimed at the young adults segment except the topic of hard drug use by teenagers is anything but because the tragedy is very real.

Derek Oatis is the person whom this movie was based off. He got away with 5 years probation and 5,000 hours of community service for selling hard drugs to teenage boys and girls. Mull over that for a while and then watch a documentary about what happens when young people become addicted to drugs. None of the people associated with the Derek Oatis case (including Derek Oatis himself) suffered any long-term consequences for what they did. They got expelled from school but then went on to lucrative and prestigious careers in law, finance, media and the like. Knowing this, is it really meaningful to make a film about the 'social injustices' of being a poor kid in a rich kid school?

A not so convincing film about a student smuggling cocaine. I've seen far better drug related documentaries.

[peterp-450-298716 · 5/10 · 12 May 2016]

"Stay invisible. Stay out of sight. That was the plan."

Lots of years ago I saw "Christiana F. - Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo" (including a masterful German version of "Heroes" by Bowie). After watching it, I was immediately afraid of heroin. The impact this film had on me was indescribable and I decided I'd never start experimenting with it in my life. The image I had of cocaine after seeing "The preppie connection" was that this is just an innocent party drug. It looks like a not so dangerous but a costly drug. To be honest concluding this terrified me a bit. That's pretty much my feeling about this film: an average film based on a true story that left no lasting impression.

Everything revolves around Tobias (Thomas "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" Mann), a teenager from a not so wealthy family who, forced by his mother (Amy Hargreaves), starts his school career at an elite school. His fellow students are the more privileged types who aren't worrying about their study results. If your parents own a well-stocked bank account and you're brought to school in an expensive limo, this is the last thing you worry about. I suppose subtly promised sponsorship by the wealthy family will help eventually. Tobias feels like an outsider. A parasite without money who dares to mingle with the bourgeoisie. The day he helps a bunch of those rich buggers so they don't get expelled from school, his reputation changes drastic. And with the (unintentional) cooperation of the son of a Colombian ambassador (Guillermo Arribas), he sees an opportunity to earn a spot among the wealthier youngsters by smuggling cocaine from Bogota. At the same time he's trying to conquer the heart of Alex (Lucy Fry) and the trust of her boyfriend Ellis (Logan Huffman), a spoiled rich jerk.

The film is based on the true story of Derek Oatis who went to school in similar circumstances. He attended Choate Rosemary Hall, an elite private school where John F. Kennedy once went to school. You can find part of the real story here. Perhaps the facts are a bit distorted and sugarcoated, but what I definitely liked was that '80s atmosphere. When "Just like honey" by The Jesus and Mary Chain echoed through the room, this couldn't go wrong. Maybe that's because I am a huge fan of music from the 80's. The soundtrack may have been a pleasant surprise, but the film on its own wasn't.

Not that it was boring, but it wasn't really intriguing. The clash of social classes in a school environment and the way individuals must assert to be accepted, is a subject that has already been used several times. And drug-related films are also in abundance. Besides, I didn't know it was so dead simple to smuggle drugs in those day. Book a trip to Bogota in Columbia and wander around aimlessly (preferably in the slums) so you can get in touch with some local dealers who keep packets of cocaine in their storage cellar. And in the end you walk calmly through customs. This seemed a little bit too easy to me.

Also the performances were fairly superficial. At first I thought the way Thomas Mann acted in "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" was purely because of the script. Now I'm convinced that this is just his true nature, because he acts the same way here. A timid, somewhat nerdy look and at the same time a humble attitude. He wants to be rebellious, but always decides to keep a low profile. Lucy Fry has the appropriate appearance to act as a toy for the rich boyfriend and also played in other nondescript teen movies (such as "Lightning Point" and "Mako Mermaids"), but her character is essentially a necessary prop. The one who impressed me the most was Logan Huffman. Exactly the same psychopathic empathy as his character in "Final Girl". A brilliant rendition that shows how a drug like cocaine affects your personality and can make you utter schizophrenic. However, when you like to have a quality movie night about these subjects, a combination of "The Breakfast Club" with "Trainspotting" would be a far better option.

More reviews here : http://bit.ly/1KIdQMT

it was awesome.

[bluudclatt · 8/10 · 4 April 2016]

rotten tomato is stupid. lately movies that are 0% and garbage are rated in the 80's/90's over there and winning Oscars for political correctness. i guess in this safe space day and age a good old fashioned story of how awesome the 80's was and the innocence the decade shared in relation to drugs and especially coke is lost on many. the soundtrack was amazing. only reason I'm here really...i figured someone had the track list for Pete's sake.

great movie. travesty rotten gave it poor reviews. i may have bypassed it.

8/10

rotten tomato is stupid. lately movies that are 0% and garbage are rated in the 80's/90's over there and winning Oscars for political correctness. i guess in this safe space day and age a good old fashioned story of how awesome the 80's was and the innocence the decade shared in relation to drugs and especially coke is lost on many. the soundtrack was amazing. only reason I'm here really...i figured someone had the track list for Pete's sake.

great movie. travesty rotten gave it poor reviews. i may have bypassed it.

8/10

Absolutely awful

[bone8251 · 1/10 · 5 March 2017]

I rarely write reviews, but this was so awful I felt compelled to warn other unsuspecting viewers. I thought this was going to be a movie of some rich jerk turned drug mule and have to do hard time....nope. Just a bunch of rich kids hooked on Coke. I prayed they would all get caught and have horrible lives as the karma bug comes around. No such luck the prep gets off with probation and everyone else goes on like it never happened. The sets were awful, I think they had a tight budget. It's set in the 80's, however, not one hairstyle, song or anything else made an appearance from that decade save the corded phones. Speaking of phones, I think the producers phones this film in.

Ambituous Project, Half-Assed Effort

[chas437 · 3/10 · 22 June 2017]

A quality cinematic treatment of this infamous episode from the 1980s seems a worthy and ambitious project.

"The Preppie Connection" fails in this endeavor. For starters, the budget was simply not adequate for the scope of this project. Its meant to show the elite prep school environment of the early-1980s, yet its not even close to qualifying as a period piece. Frankly, I don't think the filmmakers even tried very hard in this dept.

I attended a famously "preppie" college in the early-80s, and to me, the costume design here is off, and in a way that makes the costume designer(s) appears lazy.

The acting performances and overall casting are average, nothing really very compelling or inspired from any of these young actors. Logan Huffman as the antagonist is the bright spot.

In an overdone genre of film, this half-baked effort misses the mark on several levels. The filmmakers should have sought better funding, or scraped this project all together. They chose to walk the middle of the road so to speak, so they are left with a somewhat awkward, entirely forgettable film.

Where is the writer's courage and hope?

[rastaquere · 3/10 · 10 February 2018]

Good very well-executed social study but what a shame the writer brings such a hopeless dark outlook to the ending. The young cast is first rate, well filmed, and well directed. The story is not original but definitely pushes the usual limits of the high school drama beyond the comfortable bounds of suburbia, all the way to Medellin, Colombia. This said, as one considers the sad realities of growing up underprivileged, do we really have to be convinced that wealthy youths do indeed live in a dream world, protected from responsibility and remorse by an immuable armor or money and privilege. Do we really have to believe that the hopeful middle-class teenagers have nothing to hope for than despair and boredom in future made of struggle and misery? I don't think so. Why waste your public's hopes and flush them down the toilets of despair? Move on from the clichés and start using your art to help shape the world rather than this sob fest over injustices and impossible futures. Where are America's balls?

A tour de force

[airias · 9/10 · 4 April 2016]

This film is the real deal. Anyone who hasn't seen this film rush to the nearest theater that has it available or rent it through here. Unfortunately I had to discover this top notch indie through Itunes rather than on the big screen. Joseph Castelo directs in the most thrilling and personal way ever. He has the ability to not shy away from how close or far the camera has to be from the actors allowing for a greater emotion to be build around the scene based on how each character thinks acts and reacts towards a problem. This film is based on true events which makes it the more shocking as the plot unfolds. Castelo's camera work helps the viewer engage with the story while shocking us with the facts in a perfectly paced film. Thomas Mann once again proves that he is a one of a kind actor. He has the ability to be multifaceted. From roles like Project X and now evolve even more in this film it shows how capable he can be into doing almost anything. This film is his finest yet. Talking about finest, Lucy Fry is another talent that shocks whenever she is on screen. Her performance is nothing short of wonderful. Each line she has is conveyed in such a natural way that it seems as if she'd improvise. Not only that but through her performance she as an actress fades away and suddenly you believe her to be this character. Her acting not only increases the importance of the film, she also goes neck and neck against Thomas Mann's performance and that truly proves that she has the acting chops to be a lead role in whatever situation that she is put in. Jessica Rothe, Logan Huffman & Robert Gorrie demonstrate that they have enough character arcs in order to turn the table and thrill the audience with their wonderful portrayals. Not only is there synergism between them, but they know enough about how their characters would feel according to a situation that they are able to convey it with pure body expressions rather than depending solely on the dialogue. These three actors/actress are ones that people should keep an eye out for because they are the real deal and I wouldn't be surprised if in the next couple of years they get a huge lead role on a tent-pole film. Not only is the story for it being based on true events a unique and different one, its also a perfectly executed one. Props to Joseph Castelo and Ashley Rudden for conveying a truly important and underrated event in the best way possible. Its also surprising that for a film based on the 80's the cinematography aids the film into becoming a timeless work of art for which Brett Jutkiewicz should be praised for. Finally and most importantly there can be no 80's film without music that conveys that decade and not only does Sam Bisbee achieve that but he actually goes a step further into making it a modern take allowing the viewer to feel as if they are in the 80's while also imagining as if the film's events are actually from this present decade and thats a testament of how much talent there is in front and behind the camera in order for the composer to bring something old in a fresh, vibrate and electrifying new way. From the acting, camera work, cinematography to the wonderful soundtrack this film is one to praise. If you have seen the trailer then you may have high hopes for the film and I can truly say that you won't be disappointed as it exceeds them by 100%.

College Coke

[jeroduptown · 5/10 · 2 April 2022]

With a hurried ending, the Preppie Connection hits the highlights of a college boy turned campus drug god. It's all the exciting parts, without much of a deep connection.

An exciting story based on true events at a prestigious prep school in the 1980s.

[candia-78917 · 10/10 · 10 April 2016]

I am an avid movie watcher and I especially love independent films. "the Preppie Connection" is the reason why. It is infused with all the elements needed to make a winner - believability, sensitivity, excitement and depth. The story is wonderfully told and truly captures the angst of finding one's own place in the world. As someone who has years of working with adolescents, I was impressed with the understanding that both the screen writers exhibited. While based on a true story,t they were able to move the tale well beyond the reporting of events and into a sensitive realm of human behavior, The direction is right on. Joe Castelo has a style that allows you to move toward the characters rather than pushing them toward you. In doing so,Netherlands viewer develops a deep understanding and empathy that enhances the movie experience. the casting couldn't be any more effective. Lucy Fry is someone we will be seeing much more of. Thomas Mann is excellent I and Logan Huffman is a character you love to hate. If you have ever been young or are now, run to see this film. It goes far beyond entertainment by awakening your memories and triggering a reflection on some if the elements of life that touch us all. A must see!

Unrequited love, empty dreams and white lines blown away !!

[fmarciano-1 · 10/10 · 2 April 2016]

Spoiler Alert !!!

Great Movie. The two lead actors, Lucy Fry and Thomas Mann are destined for greatness. The actors are perfectly cast, seeing Alex's good looks fade away like Lindsey Lohan, until she literally disappears, is almost like a bellwether of the movie's trajectory. Ellis's decline from the king of the preppy universe to a beaten down, pathetic loser, is almost Shakespearean. His pathological betrayal of all his friends, his revenge on Toby and Alexis is mirrored in his face. By the end of the movie, his handsome face has turned into a psychotic Cillian Murphy as Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow in Batman Begins

But Alex is only a cipher, in love with no one, not Ellis, not Toby and not herself. Like the Cocaine itself, an empty vehicle that blows away like dust. The fact that Toby never sees Alex again is a metaphor for the coke itself.

The most sexualized scene is when Alex is on the bus with her boyfriend touching his body but having sex with Toby as she locks her eyes on him. There is a moment she grabs Ellis as if to show Toby she is grabbing him while Ellis is hopelessly clueless about how much Alex is not in love with him.

The only true love in the movie is Toby's father's love towards Toby. The lack of parental love and affection is the biggest force in the movie, which I think causes the suicide death of the girl, the underlying reason for Toby being in a world he does belong in and the source of the money that allows the rampant drug used. By not throwing in a clichéd scene of rich parents partying, the absence of the parents love is driven home by their absence in the movie.

And Toby's mother, who somehow thinks she can reclaim the glory of her German family's past manipulates her son into going to this school where he knows he does not belong And she gets her way by sulking into a dark depression that only Toby can cure by capitulating to his mother's dreams. Another parent who's self obsession leads her child astray.

The ending was great was the ending with the real life, model handsome Toby, as he talks about the five minutes before his bust and the five minutes after the bust, and then instead of showing redemption or reflection on his bad ways, he embraces the entirety of his descent by even saying he misses Ellis.

The Preppie Connection

[szpetyi · 8/10 · 2 June 2019]

Great story. Without looking it up I already knew it was a true story. Everything that the movie demonstrated was very real.

A pleasant surprise

[thezeal · 8/10 · 7 April 2017]

Before watching a movie, I often look at the reviews first. Going into the Preppy Connection, I was sure I wasn't even going to be able to finish it, but I was surprised.

First of all, the cinematography in this movie is excellent. It is very subtle and intimate, making the whole story feel more real, which I suppose was the purpose given this is based off of a true story.

The acting was pretty good, I was especially impressed by Lucy Fry's performance. By the end of the movie, the physical damage cocaine had on the characters, shown by the dark circles under their eyes or the yellow tint of their skin was a good choice.

Overall I think what really stood out to me was how convincing this movie was. Not necessarily from the plot, but from the little details. Coming from a New England boarding school, I was impressed by how realistic the dormrooms, classrooms, uniforms, as well as the different characters in this movie were. Private school scandals are often blown out of proportion in the media, vilifying everyone involved and I was expecting this movie would do the same, but I actually found myself either relating to characters or at least seeing people I actually knew in characters. The movie moves at a pretty slow pace and definitely is about first world problems, but once you get over this you might find yourself surprised by this movie too.